Last year, Yashasvi Jaiswal became the third Indian, after Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli, to score double-hundreds in consecutive Tests.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Shows Maturity and Patience in Red-Ball Cricket
At all levels of red-ball cricket, openers are expected to bat time, ideally giving the first hour—or even the first session—to the bowlers, and to build big innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal ticked all these boxes and more on Friday.
By nature, the 23-year-old left-hander is aggressive, boasting a Test strike rate of 66.22 across 25 matches, yet he is far from one-dimensional. His debut Test innings in Roseau against the West Indies in July 2023 showed he could graft and grind, batting nearly eight and a half hours over 387 deliveries to score 171.
Since then, Yashasvi Jaiswal has delivered entertainingly rapid knocks but has also demonstrated admirable restraint in recent months to correct earlier impetuousness. At only 23, occasional mistakes are forgivable, though high-profile misjudgments—like his ambitious pull off Jofra Archer at Lord’s—inevitably draw criticism. He responded by scoring a patient three-hour 58 in Manchester, proving he can adapt his game when needed.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Jaiswal showed the same discipline. After breezing to 36 off 54 balls in the first Test, he recognized the need to correct his casual approach, particularly after edging a cut to the wicketkeeper. While it didn’t hurt the team, he was determined to bat with more focus and responsibility in his next innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Powers India with a Masterclass 173 in Second Test
To no one’s surprise, the big innings came on day one of the second Test, putting India in a position of enormous strength. Yashasvi Jaiswal started cautiously even as opening partner KL Rahul batted fluently; the right-hander contributed 38 off 54 balls, including five fours and a six, in a 58-run opening stand. When Rahul fell, Jaiswal was on a measured 20 off 51 deliveries.
Once settled, Jaiswal shifted gears seamlessly. Expansive drives, flamboyant cuts, and elegant sweeps flowed effortlessly. His first fifty came off 82 balls, the second – completing his seventh Test century – off just 63, and he raced from 100 to 150 in 79 deliveries as the ball softened. The result: an unbeaten 173, marking the fifth time he has converted a Test century into a 150-plus score. Among Indian openers, only Virender Sehwag (14) and Sunil Gavaskar (12) have surpassed such consistency, with M Vijay managing four conversions from 12 centuries.
Jaiswal’s appetite for big scores is now well known. Last year, he became the third Indian after Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli to score double hundreds in consecutive Tests. His recent performances – 161 in Perth, now 173 and counting – underline his mastery. For someone often seen as an aggressive, high-risk opener, his timing, shot selection, and understanding of when to attack or hold back demonstrate maturity beyond his years. This innings was not just about aggression; it was a calculated statement, possibly a response to previous mistakes, and an example that could inspire even Rahul, who has scored 11 centuries but only converted two into 150-plus scores.
