In a riveting display of skill, Yashasvi Jaiswal single-handedly steered India to safety with an unbeaten 179 in the ongoing Test against England, showcasing a perfect blend of aggression and discipline. His performance not only kept India afloat in the game but also revived hopes in the series after a setback in the first Test.
Jaiswal’s innings, akin to a dream sequence, unfolded on a challenging Visakhapatnam pitch where stroke-making was arduous due to its slowness. Facing England’s spinners, including a debutant and two others with minimal experience, the 22-year-old left-hander displayed impeccable application and hunger for runs, ensuring India reached 336 for six by the end of the first day.
While every partner contributed with promising starts, none could convert them into substantial scores, except for Jaiswal. Shubman Gill’s 34 was the second-highest individual score, emphasizing the young batsman’s lonely battle to keep India in the game and the series after losing the first Test in Hyderabad.
Jaiswal’s knock also marked a redemption arc. In the previous Test, he had squandered a chance to score a hundred, falling short at 80. However, in Visakhapatnam, he not only maintained his aggressive approach but also batted long, completing his century in style with a six.
The 22-year-old’s journey to success reflects years of hard work and determination. Hailing from the remote town of Suriyawan in Uttar Pradesh, Jaiswal made the arduous journey to Mumbai as a raw teenager, facing challenges such as staying in tents on pitches, selling paani puris, and climbing walls of cricket clubs to watch matches. Despite achieving celebrity status, he remains committed to cricket, spending his off-season at the Rajasthan Royals academy in Talegaon.
Jaiswal’s innings showcased his diverse range of shots, employing wristwork to execute two types of drives and a fierce cut when offered width. While he acknowledges the need to work on his leg-side game, his overall approach and execution demonstrated a batsman coming of age.
In a time when India’s batting lineup is in transition, Jaiswal’s responsible and mature innings has brought a sense of calm to the dressing room. With the series hanging in the balance, his ability to shoulder the responsibility and convert talent into runs has highlighted his prowess as a modern-day all-format opener. As Jaiswal once stated, “Playing the longer format helps me improve my mental toughness which is really important because you are going to be tested in different situations against different bowlers. It’s a lot of fun.”
