Former India opener Aakash Chopra has voiced concern over Yashasvi Jaiswal’s indifferent showing in the ongoing Test series between India and South Africa. Saying that the left-hander is no longer a novice, he pointed out that his repeated struggles against left-arm pace bowlers remain a worrying sign.
Jaiswal fell for 13 on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati on Tuesday, November 25 — caught behind while attempting a cut shot off Marco Jansen. Chasing a near-impossible 549 for victory, India reached stumps at 27 for 2, with KL Rahul (6) also dismissed early.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed disappointment that Jaiswal hasn’t stepped up as a key batter in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill. The former India cricketer remarked:
“If we talk about transition, Yashasvi is not a part of that inexperienced batting line-up anymore. He made his debut 2-3 years ago. He is among players who has score more runs for India recently, so I am a little worried.”
Aakash Chopra
The 48-year-old also stated that Jaiswal appears to be playing the cut when the ball is too near to his body, which is getting him in difficulty. He elaborated:
“He has been getting out in the same way against left-arm pacers. So, that is a problem. Anyone can get out at any time, but he got out attempting the cut thrice against Marco Jansen. The cut may be his productive stroke, but it is also letting him down. He is cutting balls that are too close to the body and is trying to hit it very hard. He needs to check his shot selection in terms of line.”
Aakash Chopra
Before being dismissed for 13 against Jansen on Tuesday, Jaiswal had scored 12, 0, and 58 in his previous three innings in the series.
Aakash Chopra Highlights KL Rahul’s Lack of Big Scores Amid India’s Struggles in IND vs SA 2025 Test Series
Even as Jaiswal had a mediocre series with the bat against South Africa, his opening partner KL Rahul was downright dismal. He made 68 runs from four innings with a highest score of 39. In the second innings in Guwahati, facing a tossed up delivery, Rahul got cleaned up by Simon Harmer while he tried to flick one across the line. Pointing at the senior batter’s poor shot selection, Chopra said:
“KL Rahul has also not scored runs. He spent time at the crease in a couple of innings, but doesn’t have a big score. In the second innings, the ball was turning and he did not even present the full face of the bat. Not ideal. The ball was turning. But, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder also batted against the turning ball.”
Aakash Chopra
At stumps on Day 4 in Guwahati, Sai Sudharsan was on two and Kuldeep Yadav on four. India trail 1-0 in the two-match Test series.
