Ex-South African Cricketer’s Advice for Yashasvi Jaiswal to Learn From Sachin Tendulkar
Dale Steyn urges Yashashvi Jaiswal to follow Sachin’s discipline and cut down risky shots after repeated dismissals against left-arm pace.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal in the second Test against South Africa has once again opened a debate about his shot selection. Dale Steyn believes the young opener can fix the issue by learning from Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline.
Jaiswal fell for 13 while trying to cut Marco Jansen. It was the same mistake he has made a few times now, especially when facing left-arm fast bowlers. The ball looked wide enough, he went for the shot, and he edged it to the keeper.
Steyn said this pattern is becoming predictable. He explained that Jaiswal enjoys the cut and plays it naturally because he is used to right-arm bowlers taking the ball across him. Against someone like Jansen, the angle changes and the ball is not as wide as it looks.
“It’s his go-to option. He enjoys playing that shot. He is accustomed to facing right-arm bowlers who angle the ball across him, so it feels natural. However, with Marco Jansen being a left-armer, the ball appears to be moving away, giving him space, but more often than not, it’s actually closer than he anticipates,” Steyn said.
Steyn feels this is where Jaiswal might need to hold himself back. He pointed to a famous moment from Sachin Tendulkar’s career to make his point.
Learning from Sachin
Steyn recalled Sachin’s 241 not out at Sydney in 2004. In that innings, Sachin removed the cover drive completely from his game because it had caused his dismissals earlier in the series. He scored big by staying disciplined and sticking to safer options.
“When the ball is in your zone, you naturally go for it. But perhaps it’s something Jaiswal needs to consciously reduce. I recall Sachin once deciding to remove the drive from his game in Australia. Jaiswal may also need to say, ‘Unless it’s in a particular area, I won’t play it. In this area, I’ll rely on my defence,” Steyn added.
The South African great believes Jaiswal has the talent and range to score runs in all conditions. He just needs to tighten his decision-making against left-arm pace, the way legends before him adapted.
