ENG vs IND 2025: ‘It was the opening England needed’ – Stuart Broad slams Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ‘really bad shot’

Former England pacer Stuart Broad noted Yashasvi Jaiswal’s misjudgment as the turning point that sparked England’s stunning comeback in the third Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. With this victory, England took a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Broad criticised Jaiswal’s shot selection and emphasised the importance of early wickets in low-scoring, high-pressure chases. He acknowledged Jaiswal’s immense potential to take control of a game from the start but noted that he handed the momentum directly to the opposition.

“In a low chase, when you are defending, if you come to bowl and you’ve got a Sehwag, Warner, the opening batters that can take the game away from you and they are up 60 for none or one off ten, the game is sort of done. So Jaiswal getting out, really bad shot, I’m surprised he just didn’t look to cut it over the off-side, suddenly England are like okay, we are in. He is the player who moves the scoreboard forward,” said Broad on ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast.

Broad further elaborated that the early dismissal of such an opener in the fourth innings was instrumental in allowing England to seize control. He drew parallels with other dynamic openers who have transformed chases into mere formalities, and stressed that Jaiswal’s misstep opened the door for England to capitalise.

“As soon as Karun Nair came in, he was someone who plays each ball on merit, then England could control it and set attacking fields, create pressure. So I thought that was a really big moment. England making that breakthrough early, Jaiswal gone,” Broad added.

With England holding a commanding 2-1 lead and two Tests remaining, India will need to bounce back quickly and decisively. The fourth Test is set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester, with all eyes on India to deliver a strong performance and help level the series.