Virat Kohli’s ‘only mistake’ in Yashasvi Jaiswal run-out disaster exposed by Mohammad Kaif

A disastrous mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli resulted in the Indian opener’s unfortunate dismissal on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 27.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli had been building a solid partnership, adding 102 runs for the third wicket, but a moment of miscommunication brought it to an abrupt end, thanks to Australian captain Pat Cummins and wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s sharp fielding in Melbourne.

Virat Kohli-Yashasvi Jaiswal miscommunication leads to run-out drama in Melbourne

The incident unfolded on the last ball of the 41st over of India’s innings bowled by Scott Boland. Jaiswal played a shot towards mid-on and immediately called for a quick single. However, Kohli, focused on tracking the ball, didn’t notice the fielder’s position and hesitated, reacting late to Jaiswal's call.

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This led both Indian batters to find themselves stranded on the pitch. Pat Cummins, stationed at mid-on, acted swiftly. He collected the ball and aimed for a direct hit at the striker's end but narrowly missed. However, Alex Carey backed up perfectly as he gathered the ball and whipped off the bails to complete the run-out.

Jaiswal, who had been in sublime form, was left walking back to the pavilion after a well-played knock of 82 runs, as Kohli was close to his crease and returned back to his point once he saw the run-out chance. The mix-up was a turning point in India’s innings, leading to a batting collapse in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Mohammad Kaif calls Yashasvi Jaiswal’s risky single a ‘Big Mistake’ in the Boxing Day Test

Following the incident, many have been blaming Virat Kohli for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run-out, but former Indian batter Mohammed Kaif defended the former captain, saying it was 70% the mistake of the Indian opener. However, he felt Virat should have looked into the fielders’ positions first.

Kaif said that there was no run because Jaiswal came forward, took a shot, and he got the start. The former Indian cricketer has pointed out that the youngster had already taken a few steps forward and thought that he would reach the top, and he left his crease. He has openly blamed Yashasvi for losing his wicket to get a risky single.

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Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his X handle: “I thought that Yashasvi forgot that the ball traveled very fast and went into the hands of Cummins. He took a shot in the middle of the ball and reached very fast in the hands of Fielder. Although Fielder was behind and was around 25 yards. But he came so fast that there was no reaction time.”

I won't blame Virat Kohli, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal's mistake: Mohammad Kaif

The former Indian batter further explained, “Virat's only mistake was that he turned back and looked at Fielder. He didn't look at Yashasvi, and that’s why there was a miscommunication. Virat was very late, but it was more the fault of Jaiswal. His mistake was 70% because it was a test match. You can take a risky single and even can avoid a dot ball in the white-ball cricket. But in the Test match, you got the start and batted at 80.”

Kaif signed off by saying, “There is a great partnership. So, Jaiswal can leave one or two risky runs. There was a mistake from Jaiswal. I thought he took a big risk. It was a very risky single, and that's why he lost his wicket. I won't blame Virat Kohli. It was Yashasvi Jaiswal's mistake.”

The Virat and Jaiswal MixUP.#BGT #BoxingDay pic.twitter.com/p5Q3jkBE2m

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 27, 2024