India’s batting collapse on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia left fans in dismay and reignited debates about critical moments in cricket. The highlight of the day wasn’t just the team’s sudden collapse but also the heated argument between former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Irfan Pathan over Yashasvi Jaiswal’s controversial run-out.
The Build-Up to the Collapse
India began the day strongly, with a promising partnership between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo added 102 runs, stabilizing the innings after an early loss. Jaiswal’s stroke play and Kohli’s measured approach gave fans hope of a solid first-innings total.
Jaiswal’s Run-Out: A Turning Point
However, disaster struck when Jaiswal was run out in the 41st over. After hitting a full delivery to mid-on, Jaiswal called for a quick single. Virat Kohli, seemingly unsure, kept his eyes on the ball without responding decisively. As a result, both batters ended up at the non-striker’s end, leaving Jaiswal stranded.
The Verbal Duel: Manjrekar vs. Pathan
The incident sparked a lively debate on the Star Sports Network, with Manjrekar and Pathan offering differing views on who was at fault. The exchange quickly escalated, reflecting their contrasting cricketing philosophies.
Manjrekar criticized Kohli’s lack of communication, calling it a “schoolboy error.” According to him, the striker always has the final say on a call, and Kohli’s hesitation left Jaiswal with no chance to retreat.
Manjrekar said, “At the other end was Virat Kohli and we tend to think a little more from his side. It was a schoolboy error from Kohli to look behind and decide that there was no run. The call is not for the non-striker to make. It always belongs to the batter who has played the ball. If Jaiswal had made a bad call then he would have suffered because Cummins would have gone for the non-striker end. But since Kohli said no, Yashasvi had no chance. This is what my take on the matter is.”
Pathan disagreed, arguing that the non-striker has a responsibility to judge the situation. He suggested that Kohli was within his rights to decline the run, emphasizing the risk involved.
Pathan said, “There is another truth of cricket that if the ball is played at point, the non-striker is the one to make a call. And the stiker is at full liberty to turn it down. He can also say no sometimes.”
Kalesh between Irfan and Sanjay Manjrekar 😭 pic.twitter.com/9Ucs6FU3pb
— Pallavi Anand (@PallaviSAnand) December 27, 2024
Manjrekar further said, “But Irfan, here you are talking about point…”
After this, all hell broke loose as neither Pathan nor Manjrekar were ready to listen or accept the other’s point of view.
Lastly, Manjrekar could be heard saying, “If you don’t want to listen, there isn’t much left here,” before he took a sly dig at Pathan. “I think the time has come for a new coaching manual to be released, which will have Irfan Pathan’s version of running between the wicket”.
Both perspectives highlight a critical aspect of cricket: the need for seamless communication. In high-stakes matches, even minor lapses can have significant consequences.
India’s Batting Collapse
Following the run-out, India’s innings unraveled. The team lost three wickets for just six runs, giving Australia the momentum they needed. From 153/2, India ended the day at 158/5, trailing by 310 runs. With Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, India faces an uphill battle. The focus on Day 3 will be to minimize the deficit and counter Australia’s relentless bowling.
Pat Cummins and Scott Boland capitalized on India’s collapse, showcasing their skill and discipline. Their efforts ensured that Australia maintained a firm grip on the match. Social media buzzed with opinions on the run-out and the team’s performance. While some criticized Kohli, others pointed to Jaiswal’s inexperience as the root cause.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
