It’s not anymore about the stats, but rather how quickly can you score, even in Tests like Rishabh Pant. And that’s what Yashasvi Jaiswal has been delivering since his Test debut in West Indies. He was off the mark with a boundary against Mark Wood and hit debutant Tom Hartley for a six to open his account against spin in IND vs ENG 1st Test. While he had the chance to score his maiden Test ton at home, Jaiswal has no regrets. Jaiswal was dismissed for 80 by Joe Root as he tried to play an attacking shot.
“Of course, it would have been amazing if I would have scored a hundred. But what took me there was my thinking and my process to score runs and I was quite positive in my mind and I was just thinking, making sure I can build an innings. But it was good actually,” Yashasvi Jaiswal said at the post-match press conference after Day 2 of IND vs ENG 1st Test in Hyderabad.
Yashasvi Jaiswal to Jaisball
If England came to India with inflated Bazball buzz, Yashasvi Jaiswal was quick to put that to bed. He scored 80 at a strike rate of 108.11, best among all batters in the IND vs ENG 1st Test. Jaiswal hit 10 fours and 3 sixes, playing 40 dot balls. That means he hit the rest of the 34 balls to score 80 runs.
“This is my first Test match in India and I was just thinking of contributing well and doing well for my team. When I was playing in the West Indies and South Africa, it was quite a different environment. Here also the environment is quite different. I was really enjoying all the places, of course. It is a proud and honour moment every time I go and play for my country,” Yashasvi Jaiswal said.
England spinners played their part too. It was evident that Jaiswal was enjoying playing Mark Wood. And to counter that Ben Stokes called in the spinners. However, Ben Stokes made a blunder. He kept on Tom Hartley to bowl at Jaiswal. Seven of his 10 fours and two of his three sixes came against Hartley. Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed too did not succeed.
However, Joe Root found success. As the two left-arm spinners and the leg spinners continued to turn the ball towards him, Yashasvi Jaiswal had no trouble hitting. Only when Joe Root managed to turn the ball away from him, Jaiswal perished. In fact, Jaiswal only faced four of Joe Root’s deliveries, scoring four.
“I knew that at some stage he (Joe Root) was going to bowl. I was prepared for him. He can bowl first over. But as I said, I was trying my best to do what I could. Sometimes, I can make a mistake and get out. Still, I’m learning. If I do make a mistake, I’ll make sure that I try to learn from it,” Yashasvi Jaiswal said.
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