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Need runs: Jaiswal competing with Shubman Gill
Remember Lucknow SuperGiants’ fast bowler Mayank Yadav rushing the batsmen with some serious pace and those who tried hitting through the line paid the penalty. It was only Punjab Kings’ captain Shikhar Dhawan who used the pace of the ball rather than trying to hit the fast bowler with all his might.
Of course, T20 cricket is a lot instinctive but when it comes to playing any format of the game, the basics can’t be compromised. A batter like Yashasvi Jaiswal could do no wrong in the India-England Test series, playing his best array of shots with some terrific judgment and temperament. But by the time IPL began, Jaiswal’s form went for a walk. He admitted to it when people asked him about his superlative touch and said that as long as he is in form, he should just focus on scoring tons and tons of runs.
Unfortunately, when the run dries up, a lot of technical flaws come to the front-front. Right from committing to play strokes from the word go, the upper body loses balance and the sight of the ball because of a preconceived notion to hit the ball out of the park.
So, what’s the way out?
Instead of trying to hit the ball hard, what Jaiswal should look to do is to go easy in the initial overs and use the pace of the ball rather than trying to smash it. It’s actually easier said than done because there is immense pressure to hit the ball in the power-play.
The best possible solution is to take a single and give the strike to the man who is watching the ball like a football and he is none other than Jos Butler. Through this exercise what will be ensured is that Jaiswal will get to spend some time in the middle and who knows what is in store if you are at the crease! With the kind of stroke-making capacity, it will take only a few deliveries to roar back to form in T20. Getting big runs is only round the corner for the Mumbai youngster!
