A disastrous mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli led to the unfortunate dismissal of the Indian opener on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on 27 December.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli had built a solid partnership, adding 102 runs for the third wicket, but a moment of miscommunication brought it to an abrupt end thanks to Australian captain Pat Cummins and wicketkeeper Alex Carey in Melbourne.
Virat Kohli-Yashasvi Jaiswal miscommunication leads to sell-out drama in Melbourne
The incident unfolded on the last ball of India's 41st innings bowled by Scott Boland. Jaiswal played a shot to mid on and immediately called for a quick single. However, Kohli, focused on chasing the ball, did not notice the fielder's position and hesitated, reacting late to Jaiswal's call.
This led to both the Indian batsmen finding themselves stranded on the field. Pat Cummins, stationed in the middle, was quick to act. He collected the ball and aimed a direct shot at the striker's end, but narrowly missed. However, Alex Carey came back perfectly as he collected the ball and took the bails to complete the run-out.
Jaiswal, who has been in sublime form, was allowed to return to the pavilion after a well-played knock of 82 as Kohli was close to his crease and returned to his point once he saw the run chance -out. The confusion was a turning point in India's innings, leading to a collapse of the bats in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Mohammad Kaif calls Yashasvi Jaiswal's risky single a 'big mistake' in Boxing Day Test
Following the incident, many blamed Virat Kohli for Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out, but former India batsman Mohammed Kaif defended the former captain, saying it was 70% the Indian opener's fault. However, he felt that Virat should have looked at the positions of the players first.
Kaif said there was no run because Jaiswal came forward, shot and took off. The former Indian cricketer pointed out that the youngster had already taken a few steps forward and thought he would reach the top and left his crease. He openly blamed Yashasvi for losing his wicket to get a risky single.
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Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his X handle: “I thought Yashasvi forgot that the ball was going very fast and it went into Cummins' hands. He shot up the middle of the ball and it got to Fielder's hands very quickly. Although Fielder was behind and about 25 yards away. But it came so fast that there was no time to react.”
I won't blame Virat Kohli, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal's mistake: Mohammad Kaif
The former Indian batsman further explained, “Virat's only mistake was that he turned and looked at the fielder. He did not look at Yashasvi and hence there was a miscommunication. Virat was very late but that was more Jaiswal's fault. His mistake was 70% because it was a trial match. You can take a risky single and even avoid a dot ball in white ball cricket. But in the Test match, you got the start and batted at 80.”
Kaif signed off saying, “There is a great partnership. So, Jaiswal may leave one or two risky runs. It was a mistake on Jaiswal's part. I thought he took a big risk. It was a very risky single and that's why he lost his wicket. I will not blame Virat Kohli. It was Yashasvi Jaiswal's mistake.”
Virat and Jaiswal's MixUP.#BGT #BoxingDay pic.twitter.com/p5Q3jkBE2m
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 27, 2024