India’s Opening Worry: Jaiswal Struggles in Final Warm-Up Against England A
Southampton, June 9:
India’s final warm-up match ahead of the much-anticipated Test series against England has left the team management with more questions than answers, particularly at the top of the order. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, touted as a future mainstay of India’s batting line-up, endured a disappointing outing against England A, falling cheaply and failing to provide the solidity expected of him.
The left-hander was dismissed for just 7 runs in the first innings of the three-day practice match held in Southampton. Coming in with high expectations following a strong domestic season and flashes of brilliance in international cricket, Jaiswal looked tentative against the moving ball early on. His dismissal — edging a seaming delivery to the slips — exposed a potential vulnerability that England’s pace attack will no doubt look to exploit when the Test series begins at Lord’s later this week.
This performance comes at a time when India is looking to settle its opening combination, especially in the absence of veteran opener KL Rahul, who is recovering from an injury. With Rohit Sharma already confirmed to lead the side and take one opening slot, the second spot remains a subject of debate. Jaiswal’s struggles now open the door for the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Easwaran, both of whom spent time in the middle during the warm-up fixture.
While the match itself ended in a draw, with several Indian batsmen getting useful time in the middle, the focus remained firmly on Jaiswal’s form. His dismissal triggered early concerns, especially given the overcast English conditions and the new Dukes ball — both known to challenge even the best of batsmen.
India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour, speaking after the match, downplayed the worries, stating, “It’s just one innings in testing conditions. Yashasvi is a young talent and has the technique to succeed in England. We back him fully, but of course, team combinations will be finalized closer to the match day.”
Despite the reassurance, there’s an evident sense of urgency within the camp to shore up the top order. India’s past tours of England have repeatedly highlighted the importance of a strong opening partnership, especially in setting the tone in swinging conditions.
On the other end of the spectrum, Rohit Sharma looked in fluent touch, scoring a composed half-century that underscored his growing comfort as a Test opener overseas. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli also got brief but valuable time in the middle, helping India tick off a few positives amid concerns.
The England A bowling unit, led by Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, made the most of the favorable conditions, extracting seam and bounce to trouble India’s top order. Robinson, in particular, made a compelling case for his return to England’s main XI, claiming three wickets and maintaining a probing line.
As India prepares for the first Test beginning June 13, Jaiswal’s form will be under scrutiny. With limited time left to experiment, the team management faces a crucial decision — whether to persist with the prodigious left-hander or make a pragmatic switch based on form and experience.
One way or another, India’s opening pair will be key to their chances of success in England — and Yashasvi Jaiswal has just a few days to turn the narrative in his favor.
