On December 18, 2024, during Day 3 of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, Yashasvi Jaiswal faced the first ball of his innings with promise, edging Mitchell Starc's delivery for four runs. Yet, just moments later, with Starc's second delivery, Jaiswal's hope turned to disappointment. Attempting to flick the ball off his pads, Jaiswal instead hit it straight to Mitchell Marsh at short mid-wicket, marking Starc's third dismissal of the young opener throughout the current series.
Jaiswal's departure was not the only setback for India on this tense day. Following Starc's early strike, India's top order faced significant troubles, collapsing to 48 for 4 quickly, with Shubman Gill also falling prey to Starc soon after. The situation showcased the relentless pressure exerted by Australia, who had set the bar high with their first innings total of 445 runs, highlighted by stellar performances from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
Starc’s dismissal of Jaiswal seemed almost scripted. Just five minutes before taking the field, Jaiswal was practicing flick shots during warm-ups—one of which accidentally struck a cameraman standing by the Australian huddle. Michael Vaughan, providing commentary during the match, seized on this coincidence to later critique Jaiswal’s execution during the game, saying, “Five minutes before Jaiswal got out, this is the shot he practiced... wonderful shot and good balance. And then you go […] aerial, just flicks it. It was the pressure of the game, in practice it’s perfect.”
Vaughan was not alone in his assessment of Jaiswal’s theatrics, as Ravi Shastri, former Indian coach and commentator, reflected similarly on the young opener's poor decision-making. “Can you believe the catch would be there? The man just in front of square, acres of space on the on side...,” Shastri noted, alluding to the simplicity of Marsh's catch. Jaiswal's dismissal left India teetering on the brink of crisis, with their top-order having struggled throughout this series against seasoned left-arm pace, particularly from Starc.
Statistically, Jaiswal’s record against left-arm bowlers has been alarming. Across nine Test innings, he has scored only 104 runs, with six of those dismissals attributed to left-arm pace bowlers. With this latest failure, Jaiswal extended his underwhelming performance against Starc, who has now dismissed him multiple times this series, exposing vulnerabilities many analysts have pointed out.
After the conclusion of Australia’s innings at 445 runs, the pressure was on India. They had to navigate their way through Starc and Hazlewood's formidable bowling attack. Amid post-dismissal analysis, Vaughan remarked, “He’s just trying to take out Mitchell Starc before the game starts,” drawing laughter and agreeing nods from fellow commentators as they analyzed Jaiswal’s approach at the crease.
India's innings began on shaky ground as Jaiswal’s early exit came as the second ball of the innings. With the rain interrupting play often, the precarious situation seemed to weigh heavily on the team. While there is always room for strategies to adjust, Jaiswal’s method of confronting pace started to draw scrutiny from cricket analysts and former players alike.
Further compounding Jaiswal’s woes was the loss of other pivotal players shortly thereafter. Shubman Gill managed only one run before Starc once again capitalized—this time caught by Marsh at gully. The situation was dire yet again with India's loss of four wickets at just 51 runs, deepening the challenges they faced in overcoming Australia's hefty first-innings score.
The initial moments of the innings proved troubling for Indian supporters, who watched their team’s ambitions clatter with each wicket lost. With the series evenly poised at 1-1, this Test became increasingly important for both sides as they looked to establish dominance moving forward.
The notorious Gabba pitch added to the challenge, displaying conditions favorable to quick bowlers, increasing the urgency for solid partnerships to rebuild the innings after Jaiswal’s quick dismissal. With Virat Kohli and KL Rahul tasked with stabilizing the situation, the tension on the field was palpable as each ball sent the crowd's heart racing.
Starc's impeccable bowling marked his 12th wicket of the series, and as he continued to apply pressure, India's top order appeared vulnerable against his pace and precision. Jaiswal’s struggles were mirrored by his fellow batsmen, forced to contend with relentless pressure from the well-drilled Australian attack.
India has relied heavily on Jaiswal’s prior performances, particularly his incredible 161 during the first Test at Perth, where he guided India to triumph. Yet the fortunes of this series were turning, the sun setting on the anticipation and confidence Jaiswal once offered, and critics began circling with concerns for his future contributions.
The shadow of his previous performances looms large as this current Test progresses. Sustaining completion against top-tier bowlers requires resilience and adaptation, qualities Jaiswal must seek to embrace moving forward. What’s clear is the learning curve Jaiswal is on as he navigates the pressures of international Test cricket.
With the session drawing to a close and rain continuing to threaten the day's play, the outcome of this Test—and Jaiswal’s performance—remains uncertain. The next phase will be pivotal as India seeks to mount their comeback against the challenging Australian side.
