Title: Jaiswal asks Duckett to ‘show some shots’, he gets out moments later
Cricket is a game of strategy, skill, and mind games. A cleverly placed sledging can often put the opposition on the back foot, and sometimes, it can even lead to their downfall. During the fourth day of the fifth and final Test between India and England, we witnessed a perfect example of this. Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal dared England opener Ben Duckett to “show some shots”, and moments later, Duckett lost his wicket off Prasidh Krishna’s bowling.
The incident occurred when Duckett was batting on 54 off 83 deliveries, looking comfortable at the crease. Jaiswal, who was fielding at mid-wicket, decided to try and unsettle the England opener with some clever words. He shouted out “Show some shots, Ben” as Duckett took a single off a delivery. Duckett, seemingly annoyed by the constant sledging, tried to take on the Indian bowlers, but it was too late.
Prasidh Krishna sensed the opportunity and bowled a delivery that was too good for Duckett. The England opener tried to hit it over the top but ended up edging it to the wicket-keeper. Jaiswal’s words had clearly affected Duckett’s concentration, and he lost his wicket to a soft dismissal.
The incident was a perfect example of how sledging can work in a team’s favour. Jaiswal’s words were not meant to be abusive or threatening, but rather to get under Duckett’s skin and make him lose focus. And it worked. Duckett, who was looking comfortable at the crease, suddenly became frustrated and ended up making a mistake.
This is not the first time that Jaiswal has used his words to get under an opponent’s skin. In the previous Test match, he had also been involved in a verbal spat with England batter Zak Crawley. However, in that case, Jaiswal’s words were not as effective, and Crawley went on to score a century.
Jaiswal’s ability to read the game and use his words to unsettle the opposition is a valuable asset to the Indian team. He is known for his aggressive fielding and his ability to get under the skin of the opposition. And his words to Duckett were a perfect example of this.
The incident also highlights the importance of mental toughness in cricket. Duckett, who was looking comfortable at the crease, suddenly became frustrated and lost his wicket. This is not uncommon in cricket, where a player’s mental state can often dictate their performance. Jaiswal’s words may have been the last straw for Duckett, who was already feeling the pressure of the game.
In the end, Jaiswal’s words may have won him the game, but they also showed that he is a player who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. And that is what makes him such a valuable asset to the Indian team.
