Yashasvi Jaiswal's Right-Arm Problems vs Left-Arm Pacers

Yashasvi Jaiswal - (Source: AFP)

On Saturday, August 8, India finally got to test their batters in Colombo when Sri Lanka XI declared the innings at 363/8. In reply, India got off to the worst possible start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal registering a two-ball duck.

The India opener is on his first-ever red-ball tour of Sri Lanka. The left-handed batter has got off to a brilliant start to his Test career, amassing 2535 runs in 54 innings, averaging 48.75. Yashasvi Jaiswal has played against big nations, and Sri Lanka remains the only top nation where he is yet to test himself.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Woes Against Left-Arm Seamer Exposed

As mentioned above, Jaiswal has an impressive Test career so far, but his struggles against left-arm seamers were highlighted in the ongoing practice match against Sri Lanka XI. The southpaw chased a wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando and threw his wicket away.

Getting out to a left-arm seamer is becoming the new normal for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Looking at his stats, Jaiswal has scored just 200 runs against Left-arm seamers and got out on 9 occasions, averaging just 22.2 against them.

Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal's Test Record Since 2025: The Slump No One Is Talking About

Comparing this data to other forms of bowlers, then Jaiswal has scored 2335 runs, averaging 54.3. Also, looking at his stats against right-arm seamers, he has 1184 runs, averaging 42.3. 

Interestingly, it is the right-arm batters who usually struggle vs left-arm pacers because of the angles. However, Jaiswal is a unique case in a left-hander being troubled by left-arm pacers. 

When Jaiswal comes up against right-arm seamers, he feels confident and averages 42.34. However, it drops down to just 26.06 against left-arm seamers. 

(Yashasvi Jaiswal's Stats in Tests vs Left Arm Pacer and Right Arm Pacers)

Left-Arm Pacers Who Have Troubled Yashasvi Jaiswal

There have been several bowlers who have troubled Yashasvi Jaiswal. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Marco Jansen, and Nandre Burger have made Yashasvi Jaiswal their bunny. 

During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025, Mitchell Starc got rid of Jaiswal thrice. Meanwhile, against Marco Jansen, Jaiswal averages just 14.0, scoring 42 runs and getting out 3 times.

Struggle Against Left-Arm Seamers Only In Tests?

In ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal has struggled to cement his place and the sample size is too small to compare. However, the issue is persistent in T20Is as well. 

Shedding light on his numbers against left-arm seamers, Jaiswal has got out 5 times and scored 135 runs, averaging just 27. Hence, it is a technical issue with Jaiswal and not a particular situation persistent in Test cricket.

What is the problem? 

Jaiswal is a naturally aggressive left-handed opener. Against a left-arm seamer, the ball comes into him from a different angle and can either hold its line around the off stump or angle across him, depending on the bowler's release and movement.

The angle creates uncertainty

A Left-arm seamer creates angle that can make the ball come into Jaiswal's body or straighten after initially appearing to move across him.That makes judging whether to leave, defend or attack more difficult. This is particularly dangerous against tall left-arm bowlers such as Mitchell Starc and Marco Jansen, who can combine the angle with bounce and movement.

His cut shot becomes a trap

This is probably the biggest technical issue. Jaiswal loves scoring through the off side. When a left-arm pacer bowls slightly short and outside off, Jaiswal sees the opportunity to cut. 

The problem is that sometimes the ball isn't wide enough. So instead of getting his hands and body into a strong position, he reaches for it and gets a thick outside edge.

The short-of-a-length ball is particularly dangerous

This is another recurring pattern. A left-arm pacer doesn't necessarily have to bowl a genuine short ball. A back-of-a-length delivery around the fourth/fifth-stump channel can be enough.

That indecision can leave him reaching for the ball. We've seen versions of this against Marco Jansen, where the combination of angle + bounce + relatively tight width has cramped Jaiswal's preferred attacking shots.

Conclusion

Yashasvi Jaiswal needs to amend his technique against left-arm seamers because he is getting too predictable. The bowlers are looking for that wide-off delivery that tempts the RR batter to go for cut shots and lose his wicket.

Hence, the 24-year-old need to pick brains of some of the greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli who worked on their game when they were getting out in a similar pattern in Test cricket.

Also Read: Shubman Gill's Availability For India vs Sri Lanka Tests Decided By BCCI! Out Of Practice Match