Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering red-ball run came to an unexpected pause in the Duleep Trophy semi-final, where the West Zone opener fell for just 4 runs. Known for piling on massive scores across formats, Jaiswal walked in with high expectations, only to be undone almost instantly by Khaleel Ahmed, who pinned him LBW with a sharp in-swinger. It was a rare failure for the young left-hander, who has been one of India’s most consistent performers in recent months.
Jaiswal’s dismissal came at a crucial juncture for West Zone. He had looked to get going with an early boundary, but just three balls later, he misjudged length and was trapped on the crease. His quick exit left West Zone wobbling at the top, with the pressure immediately shifting to his fellow batters. By the 11th over, the team was reduced to 32 for 2, leaving Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer with the task of steadying the innings.
The failure stands out given Jaiswal’s recent exploits in Test cricket, where he produced back-to-back centuries and a double hundred, proving his adaptability across conditions. Coming into the Duleep Trophy, he was widely expected to dominate once again, especially with selectors closely watching performances ahead of India’s upcoming home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa. Instead, his early departure has served as a reminder of the unpredictability of cricket, where even in-form players are only one delivery away from trouble.
West Zone’s batting lineup, however, has the depth to absorb such setbacks. With Ruturaj Gaikwad holding firm and Shreyas Iyer determined to mark his own comeback, the side still has the resources to push for a strong first-innings total. But Jaiswal’s dismissal has highlighted how dependent the team can be on quick starts from him at the top of the order.
For Jaiswal himself, this failure is less a blemish and more an opportunity to reset. His first-class record remains stellar, boasting an average in the mid-50s with multiple marathon innings to his name. What makes him stand out is his ability to convert starts into monumental scores—a trait that has earned him comparisons with some of the best young batters globally. Falling for single digits, then, is an outlier rather than the norm.
Still, timing matters. With national selectors emphasizing red-ball readiness, every innings in the Duleep Trophy carries weight. Jaiswal’s early dismissal may not harm his credentials, but it does add a touch of pressure to his second-innings opportunity. He will be eager to respond in style, showing that this blip is no more than a minor detour in his upward trajectory.
In cricket, form is fleeting but class is permanent. Jaiswal’s dismissal for 4 will be quickly forgotten if he roars back with a big score in the second innings. For now, it stands as a rare cold note in what has otherwise been a symphony of runs for India’s young batting star.
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