India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have hit an early bump as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's ongoing batting struggles continued in Colombo. Playing in a three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka XI, the left-handed batter failed to open his account, getting dismissed for a two-ball duck. The early departure once again highlighted his vulnerability against left-arm bowling, posing a significant concern for the team management ahead of the first Test starting August 15.
Left-Arm Bowling Vulnerability Surfaces Again
Jaiswal's swift exit in the warm-up match underscored a recurring technical glitch that has plagued his game recently. Facing just two deliveries before returning to the pavilion for zero, he succumbed once more to a left-arm bowler. This pattern of falling to left-arm pace and spin has emerged as his primary weakness in recent red-ball outings, raising questions about his readiness for the upcoming Test battles in island conditions.
Analysis of Recent Red-Ball Innings
A closer look at Jaiswal's recent numbers in red-ball cricket reflects a worrying dip in form. Across his last five Test innings, he has managed to register just a single half-century. When factoring in the latest warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI, his overall tally shows two ducks in his last six red-ball appearances.
The detailed breakdown of these six innings highlights his recent inconsistency
- Four innings against South Africa yielded scores of 0, 12, 13, and 58.
- The lone Test against Afghanistan saw him contribute only 24 runs.
- The warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI ended in a 2-ball duck (0).
Contrasting 2025 Form and Afghanistan Test Outing
Expectations were high for Jaiswal during the single Test match against Afghanistan, but he failed to convert his start, falling for 24 runs. However, his overall track record in 2025 demonstrates his immense capability. Throughout 2025, he amassed 745 runs across 10 matches and 19 innings, featuring 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries. With the Test series against Sri Lanka approaching, the team will be eager for him to regain that prolific touch and build solid opening partnerships alongside KL Rahul.
Sri Lanka XI Innings and KL Rahul's Captaincy Role
Regarding the warm-up match progress, Sri Lanka XI accumulated 363 runs for the loss of 8 wickets by the close of play on Day 1. The opposition then declared their innings before the commencement of Day 2.
Following Jaiswal's early dismissal, stand-in skipper KL Rahul joined forces with Devdutt Padikkal to steady the Indian innings. The duo built a resilient partnership, crossing the 50-run mark together. KL Rahul is captaining the side in this preparation game as regular captain Shubman Gill is sidelined due to an injury.
