"You need to drive like KL Rahul" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Cheteshwar Pujara reckons Yashasvi Jaiswal's eagerness to play drives against the new ball is leading to his dismissals in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He pointed out that the youngster needs to follow KL Rahul's example and play drives only against pitched-up deliveries.

Jaiswal was dismissed for four as India were reduced to 51/4 in their first innings on Day 3 (Monday, December 16) of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Alex Carey's 70-run knock helped the Aussies reach 445 in their first innings earlier in the day.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Pujara noted that Jaiswal needs to choose the right balls to play the drive, just like Rahul has been doing.

"Someone needs to tell him that you cannot drive the new ball in Australia. He is searching for full deliveries. He knows that he can score a few runs with drives against the new ball, but it's very difficult to drive the new ball, and he is searching for that ball only. You need to drive like KL Rahul, only when the ball pitches close to your body," he said.

The veteran India batter added that the left-handed opener is committing mistakes while trying to manufacture shots.

"When you search for deliveries, you make more errors. Someone needs to tell him to change his mindset slightly. There is no problem if you defend a few balls because you are playing Test cricket. You need to understand which ball to defend and which ball to attack," Pujara observed.

Yashasvi Jaiswal played a 161-run knock in India's second innings of the first Test in Perth. However, he has managed only 28 runs, including two ducks and the second-ball dismissal in Brisbane, in his other four innings in the ongoing series.

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"Mitchell Starc's bowling has been exceptional against left-handed batters" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Yashasvi Jaiswal falling prey to left-arm seamer

Mitchell Starc has dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal in India's first innings of the first three Tests. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Cheteshwar Pujara was asked about Yashasvi Jaiswal once again falling prey to Mitchell Starc.

"Mitchell Starc's bowling has been exceptional against left-handed batters, not only in this series but also if you see a few previous series. I feel Mitchell Starc is the standout bowler in this series because his control of the new ball has improved a lot," he replied.

The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that KL Rahul should face the first ball of India's innings.

"Since Yashasvi is facing the first over, he is having more difficulties. I would want right-handed batter KL Rahul to face Mitchell Starc because we have seen that Yashasvi is getting out very early in the first over itself. He might survive if he doesn't get the strike," Pujara observed.

Pujara added that Jaiswal needs to change his game a little. He pointed out that the 22-year-old is making mistakes in shot selection because his mindset is to play too positively, and that he is no longer looking to defend or leave deliveries, as he did in Perth.