In a recent episode of JioStar’s post-match show “Cricket Live,” cricket legends Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn shared their insights on South Africa’s commanding performance on Day 4 of the test match in Guwahati. Their discussion focused not only on South Africa’s effective bowling tactics but also on the mistakes made by Indian batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.
Anil Kumble kicked off the analysis by praising the South African bowlers. He highlighted the strong pace they maintained throughout the game, which made it difficult for the Indian side. Kumble stated, “The South African bowling unit was exceptional. Perhaps, if they had declared their innings earlier, India could have found themselves in even bigger trouble.”
He expressed concern about Jaiswal’s dismissal, calling it a poor shot. “They really tested Jaiswal, especially with Marco Jansen sending down a lot of short-pitched deliveries. Jaiswal, eager to score quickly, attempted his favorite cut shot. Unfortunately, he fell for it. Despite having scored many runs with that shot in the past, it’s also been a source of his dismissals. When bowlers keep bowling short, he feels compelled to play that shot, but the transfer of weight isn’t right, which leads to mistakes. The ball edged off his bat and went straight to the wicketkeeper.”
Kumble then turned his attention to KL Rahul’s dismissal. “Rahul faced a brilliant delivery from Simon Harmer. But he went for the shot without getting to the pitch of the ball. Harmer’s spin made the ball dip, which was perfectly executed. On the fourth or fifth day of a match, with the pitch wearing, a batsman should typically cover all three stumps because LBW isn’t likely. I was surprised because Rahul is an experienced player. Though he took center-stump guard, his off-stump was still visible. Ideally, standing closer to the middle-and-off would allow him to defend or reach the ball better. He may have lost concentration, thinking the ball was drivable, but the dip made it a challenge.”
Dale Steyn also weighed in on Jaiswal’s approach. He remarked, “Jaiswal’s shot was a bit hasty. He often plays that cut against right-arm bowlers, and it feels natural for him. When facing left-arm bowlers like Marco Jansen, he might expect the ball to angle away. But sometimes the ball is tighter than he anticipates. That often causes him to edge it or even drag it back onto his stumps. It’s a default shot for him, but he may need to rethink playing it. I remember Sachin Tendulkar once cutting down on his driving in Australia. Jaiswal should consider doing the same — perhaps tell himself he won’t play the cut unless the ball is in a specific area.”
Steyn didn’t forget to mention the brilliance of South African spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj in this series. “They have been outstanding. It might sound repetitive, but Harmer’s ability to adjust his bowling speed according to the conditions in Guwahati and Kolkata shows his skill level. Jaiswal’s tendency to play a certain shot and Jadeja’s habit of bowling quickly are habits formed over time. Harmer’s adaptability stands out; sometimes he bowls quicker and straighter when there’s more turn, and when there’s less, he uses flight and drift effectively. It’s a noteworthy quality.”
As both experts discussed the declines and improvements needed, they hinted that Jaiswal could greatly benefit from honing his skills further. Understanding when to play shots and when to defend could significantly impact his future performance.
In cricket, learning from one’s mistakes is vital. Jaiswal, like every player, will need to identify areas for improvement to excel at the highest level. Taking advice from legends like Kumble and Steyn may just lead to his evolution as a more complete batsman.
In conclusion, both players showed promise but also highlighted the need for focused adjustments in their game. With the right mindset and continuous learning, they can contribute significantly to India’s cricketing future.
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Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/cricket/speaking-on-jiostars-post-match-show-cricket-live-jiostar-experts-anil-kumble-and-dale-steyn-analysed-south-africas-dominant-performance-on-day-4-1919521