Iconic Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and ex-Australia head coach Justin Langer have expressed their views on the mix-up between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal during Day 2 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Remarkably, the pair appeared strong at the crease, having accumulated more than 100 runs for the third wicket.
However, their collaboration ended sadly because of a severe miscommunication, resulting in Jaiswal being run out for 82. The event splintered the cricketing community, with some fans holding Kohli responsible and others placing the blame on Jaiswal. Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts, stating that due to Virat Kohli’s fitness, he would have certainly reached the striker’s end. Nevertheless, he insisted that a risky attempt was unnecessary at that point.
“It would have been a swift run, and someone like Virat Kohli would surely have completed it.” However, the point was, he gazed at the fielder. When you gaze at the fielder and then turn, you have wasted that crucial second. Thus, it’s only natural to consider, ‘No, I want to be able to accomplish it.’ Your balance is entirely incorrect. And it would have been a close contest. At that point, what is the necessity of making a run that involves some level of risk? You’re playing nicely, runs are being scored. At that point, the risk was not really essential. “Yet it was achievable solely due to Kohli being an exceptional runner between the wickets,” remarked Gavaskar on Star Sports.
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Justin Langer also concurred with Gavaskar, stating that Jaiswal should have avoided challenging an outstanding athlete like Pat Cummins.
“I thought it was a risky run because Pat Cummins is a brilliant athlete. Even if he hadn’t picked it up, in the head of Pat Cummins, he would have gone for the non-striker. It would have been close, but I thought it was a risky run. At that stage of the game, there was no need for it. They were on top. They had it absolutely under control. As fast as he is, I thought it was too risky a run to take. I love seeing guys drop and run hard, but that was a risky run. I think that’s what Virat was saying,” he added.
Jaiswal’s run-out caused a breakdown in the Indian batting order, leading Virat Kohli to lose focus and ultimately edge Scott Boland to the wicketkeeper for 36. Akash Deep, entering as nightwatchman, was also out for a 13-ball duck. Thanks to a few late wickets, India concluded the day at 164/5 with Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) batting, now behind Australia by 310 runs.
