A disastrous mix-up between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal marked a turning point for India on Day 2 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Nathan Lyon, Australia’s off-spinner, humorously referred to the incident as a “perfect barbecue,” leaving cricket fans and experts debating the cause of the confusion.
Kohli-Jaiswal Partnership Cut Short
India, trailing Australia’s massive first-innings total of 474, appeared to be recovering thanks to a strong 102-run partnership between Kohli and Jaiswal. The left-handed Jaiswal, who was playing a confident knock, had already amassed 82 runs when disaster struck. In the final half-hour of the day’s play, a miscommunication between the two batters led to Jaiswal’s unfortunate run-out.
The incident occurred when Jaiswal flicked a delivery from Scott Boland towards Pat Cummins at mid-on. Without hesitation, the young opener set off for a single. However, Kohli, after an initial step forward, decided against the run and turned his back. This left Jaiswal stranded mid-pitch, giving wicketkeeper Alex Carey enough time to dislodge the bails.
“Coach Killers” and Pressure Moments
Reflecting on the incident, Lyon told ABC Sport, “It was probably one of the best barbecues I’ve seen. It came out of nowhere. They were batting quite comfortably until that point. Pressure does funny things, and we managed to create just enough of it. Silly run-outs like that can really frustrate coaches.”
As Jaiswal walked off the field, he appeared to gesture towards Kohli, indicating that it was his call to take the single. Kohli, on the other hand, seemed to suggest there was no run available. The unfortunate dismissal ended what looked to be a crucial partnership for India.
Kohli Departs Shortly After
Adding to India’s woes, Kohli’s promising innings ended not long after Jaiswal’s dismissal. The veteran batter, who had been playing with discipline, fell for 36 runs when he chased a wide delivery outside off stump. His dismissal left India reeling, with the team’s top order undone by Australia’s relentless bowling.
Steve Smith, who played a commanding knock of 140 for Australia in their first innings, acknowledged Kohli’s form. “He looked in great touch. I thought he was set for a big score. He was disciplined, leaving balls outside off and waiting for the bowlers to come to him. It’s a shame he couldn’t convert it into a bigger innings,” Smith remarked.
India Struggles Heading into Day 3
At stumps on Day 2, India was struggling at 164/5, trailing Australia by 310 runs. The responsibility now lies with Rishabh Pant (6) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) to steer the visitors towards a respectable total as play resumes on Day 3 of this crucial Test.
The dramatic run-out has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with fans and analysts divided on who was at fault. Regardless, the mix-up has underscored the importance of clear communication between batting partners, especially in high-pressure situations.
