Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Cut-Shot Obsession: A Flaw That Could Derail His India Career

Yashasvi Jaiswal for India (Source: AP Photos)

Yashasvi Jaiswal and his cut-shots often become the topic of discussion in world of cricket. And it happened once again on Tuesday, as his attempt to cut the delivery cost him to fall for a three-ball duck, against Asitha Fernando during 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle.

It has now become the pattern for success against Jaiswal, as fast bowlers tempt him to go for it with cut shots. Even though he has seen plenty of success in the past while playing the shot, the story is no longer the same since the start of India’s 2025 home season.

[Yashasvi Jaiswal Test Stats for square cuts, late cuts and upper cuts, as of August 18, 2026. Source: Cricbuzz]

Although there is a difference in Jaiswal’s batting average and false short percentage in these two time spans, the only thing that remains the same is his strike rate. Therefore, it can be clearly seen that he has an obsession with the cut shot irrespective of whatever outcome it brings to his fate.

A Flashback To Virat Kohli’s Cover Drive Story

Jaiswal’s fasciation with cut shots is reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s cover drive story.

There might be few things which can be more soothing to eyes on the cricket field than Kohli’s cover drives, whether it came off front foot, the back foot or the step-out-and-step-away inside-out. He has scored a chunk of runs through that particular shot as well throughout his illustrious career.

Also Read: A Record Even Virat Kohli Doesn’t Have! Yashasvi Jaiswal Joins Sachin Tendulkar After 30 Tests

However, the same shot brought criticism as well in different phases of his career, as many claimed he might have forgotten how to restrict himself whenever there was a ball coming at him at the sixth or seventh stump lines.

But then he is Virat Kohli, a persona who has supreme audacity by being the best in the business for over two decades with continuous success with bat. There was no competition for his place, as he was undisputed and was never ever was considered to be replaced due to his all-format dominance.

Jaiswal, on the other hand, has already not even in India’s ODI and T20I set-up, with Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill being preferred as his batting position as of now. And if this cut shot woes keep on happening, there is no guarantee he can keep his place in Tests as well.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Cut Shot: Boom And Bust

Courtesy of Jaiswal’s success during the early part of his Test career, he is still among the best when it comes to playing square cut shots.

As revealed by Cricinfo, since Jaiswal’s debut, only Travis Head and Ben Duckett have more Test runs while playing the square cut than India opener, who has 226 runs in it.

Interestingly, just like Jaiswal, Head and Duckett have played plenty of false shots in cut shot attempts.

Most False Shots In Square Cut-Shot Attempts Since Jaiswal's Test Debut

• Travis Head - 87 False Shots
• Ben Duckett - 65 False Shots
• Yashasvi Jaiswal - 63 False Shots

Conclusion

However, let’s not forget the fact that Jaiswal, despite his recent slum, averages 47.53 in Tests after 30 matches, aggregating 2567 runs. He still has decent Test record in Australia and England, averaging over 40 in both nations after 10 innings.

Still, given that he averages 18.66 in 2026, and 39.21 in 2025 (in 19 innings), he would be in close watch during the second Test between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to get underway on August 23 in Colombo.

Keeping in mind that India will next play Test matches in New Zealand in November, Jaiswal must prove the BCCI that he has acknowledged his obsession with cut-shots, which brought more failures to him than success of late.

Once Sachin Tendulkar scored 241 runs without playing a single cover drive, his favourite shot back in 2004 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Jaiswal can take inspiration from that masterclass to show the BCCI selectors he has the temperament and adaptability to play as per the situation. Or else, things can go south in no time.

Also Read: What Is Sri Lanka's Highest Successful Run Chase In Tests?