Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Jaiswal’s Sledging Helped Dismiss Dickwella, Upton Explains Banter
During a Test match, Indian players talked to Sri Lankan batter Niroshan Dickwella while he was batting.
Yashasvi Jaiswal challenged him to hit a six.
Dickwella answered with a joke about playing in the IPL.
Soon afterward, Dickwella tried a risky shot and was caught.
Paddy Upton explained that talking can distract batters between balls.
A batter needs to focus closely on the ball when it is being delivered.
Some players enjoy banter and use it to feel comfortable.
Upton said clever talk can sometimes work, but abusive comments should not be part of cricket.
Yashasvi Jaiswal urged Niroshan Dickwella to hit sixes as Indian fielders exchanged banter with him in Galle.
Dickwella replied that he would hit sixes if Jaiswal took him to the IPL, prompting another challenge from Jaiswal.
Dickwella then attempted a fierce cut against Prasidh Krishna and edged the ball to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Paddy Upton said banter aims to shift a batter’s attention from the ball to the conversation between deliveries.
Upton said modern Indian players are more comfortable with banter but warned that abuse can reflect poorly on a player’s character.
- Who
- Yashasvi Jaiswal and Indian fielders exchanged banter with Sri Lankan batter Niroshan Dickwella; Paddy Upton explained the mental dynamics.
- What
- The exchange preceded Dickwella’s dismissal after he attempted a rash cut shot against Prasidh Krishna.
- When
- On the final day of the Test, during the second innings in which Dickwella batted.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The banter was intended to distract Dickwella and shift his focus away from the ball.
Banter as a Cricket Strategy
Banter’s Risks and Limits
Effect on concentration
Banter as a Cricket Strategy
Supporters of strategic banter view it as a way to distract a batter between deliveries and make the player focus on the conversation instead of the ball.
Banter’s Risks and Limits
Its effectiveness depends on the comment, the person delivering it and the batter receiving it; some batters may not be distracted and may use the exchange as motivation.
Modern player behavior
Banter as a Cricket Strategy
Paddy Upton said younger Indian players are more comfortable with aggressive wordplay and are less hesitant to stand up to opponents.
Banter’s Risks and Limits
Upton said abusive banter can indicate immaturity or questionable character and may leave a lasting negative impression.
Talking at the crease
Banter as a Cricket Strategy
Some batters talk to opponents because it helps them feel comfortable while batting.
Banter’s Risks and Limits
Talk can become a trap when a batter engages too much and loses concentration on the delivery.
- Batter involved
- Niroshan Dickwella
- Indian player who initiated the exchange
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dismissal
- Dickwella edged a short ball while attempting a cut and was caught by Rishabh Pant.
- Bowler
- Prasidh Krishna
- Explanation
- Paddy Upton said banter is used to make batters focus on comments rather than the ball.
- Earlier innings
- Dickwella scored a counter-attacking 80 while bantering with Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj.
- Upton’s warning
- He said players should not cross the line from banter into abuse.