We have been little unfortunate: Rohit reacts to Jaiswal dismissal at MCG

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in the third session on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 was crucial as he was playing alongside Washington Sundar, and India were six down with nearly 20 overs to the day’s end on December 30 (Monday). 

However, more than the dismissal itself, how Jaiswal was given out attracted attention. While playing a Pat Cummins delivery that was bowled at short of length and going down the leg, he seemed to have gloved it. The on-field decision was not out, and Australia reviewed it. 

The third umpire called it out even as the Snicko meter did not catch any extra spike when the ball seemed to be in contact with the glove. On the next Indian wicket to fall, Akash Deep's bat did not seem anywhere close to the ball, but Snicko picked up a sound, and again, the on-field decision of not-out was changed by the third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat of Bangladesh. 

Thus, two very contrasting decisions left a sour taste in the Indian team’s camp, although Rohit seemed to suggest that if seen with the naked eye, Jaiswal had gloved the ball.

“I don’t know what to make of that,” Rohit said about Jaiswal’s dismissal in the post-match press conference. “The technology did not show anything but with the naked eye it did look like he did touch the ball,” he added.

Talking further about India’s bad luck with Snicko, Rohit said, “It’s been happening since we landed, so I feel we are a little unfortunate.” It was regarding KL Rahul’s dismissal in the first Test at Perth where he was given out though it seemed like his bat hit the pad and not the ball. 

The Indian skipper also heaped heavy praise on youngster Nitish Kumar Reddy, who slammed his maiden Test century in the first innings of this game. 

“We saw a lot of potential and he has come and shown here what he is capable of. He has got a solid technique and a superb mind,” Rohit said. 

Talking about Reddy’s future, Rohit remarked, “It’s very hard to comprehend his growth in four Tests. I hope he plays for India for a long time in all formats. He is only gonna go up because he has all the tools to succeed at the highest level.”