Yashasvi Jaiswal out for a duck again in New Zealand, fourth zero in nine innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal, opener in the Indian Test squad touring New Zealand, is struggling for form. He was dismissed for zero once again in the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A. He is playing in the series for India A.

In the first unofficial Test, Jaiswal made 17 and 5 in the two innings. In the second Test he could not open his account. His scores in three innings against New Zealand A are therefore 17, 5 and 0. In the same first unofficial Test, KL Rahul also failed to score, with 0 and 4. With the first Test due to start on November 19, questions are being raised about India's opening pairing.

The worry is not about a single duck. In his last nine innings across different matches, Jaiswal has been dismissed for zero four times.

He has not scored a single fifty in Test cricket since August this year. Earlier this month, opening for Mumbai against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy, he was out for zero after facing 13 balls. He also failed to score in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. That series was drawn, and Jaiswal scored a total of 77 runs in three innings. Before that Test, he had also been dismissed for zero in a practice match against the SLC XI.

Besides Tests, Jaiswal is trying to find a place in the ODI side, but has not got a chance. He was included in India's ODI squad for the recent series against the West Indies but sat on the bench for all three matches. A five-match ODI series against New Zealand begins in Auckland on November 4, and his name is not in the squad.

His form for India A is a concern for the team management. Even so, he has what it takes to make a strong comeback. The Indian team will play two Tests on the New Zealand tour, and the Test series begins on November 19. It remains to be seen what the Indian opener does on the field.