In a captivating display of skill and determination on the third day of the Rajkot Test, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his exceptional talent with the bat, smashing a sensational century against the English bowling attack. His diverse array of strokes and ruthless dismantling of the opposition’s bowlers stole the limelight, pushing England on the backfoot and leaving spectators and cricket enthusiasts in sheer admiration.
India’s bowling dominance in Rajkot
As the English team resumed their innings at 207/2, hopes were high for another solid day for the visitors. However, Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj had different plans. Siraj’s impressive four-wicket haul, supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, helped India bundle out England for 319, securing a 126-run lead.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s impactful century
Continuing their dominance with the bat, India built a substantial lead of 322 runs by the end of the day, with Yashasvi leading the charge. The young batsman’s brilliant century, scoring 104 runs, played a pivotal role in India’s commanding position. However, his innings was cut short as he retired hurt due to back pain, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the match.
Yashasvi’s previous achievements
This was not the first time Yashasvi had stunned the cricketing world. He had previously smashed a double century in Vizag, showcasing his exceptional talent and confirming his place as a rising star in Indian cricket. His century in Rajkot also propelled him to the joint-seventh position as one of the fastest batters to three Test centuries, sharing this feat with cricketing legends Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Manjrekar.
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Ravi Shastri compares Yashasvi to one of India’s legendary batter
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, now part of the commentary panel for the India-England Test series, couldn’t contain his admiration for Yashasvi. Shastri not only praised Yashasvi’s contributions in batting and fielding but also predicted that he could soon be seen bowling for India.
However, the most striking compliment came when Shastri compared Yashasvi to one of India’s legendary batters. Although many believe Yashasvi’s style of play resembles Sehwag, Shastri compared the young sensation to the iconic Sachin Tendulkar. The seasoned Indian commentator revealed that watching Yashasvi perform reminded him of a young Sachin.
“Impressed with the way Jaiswal has stepped up today. Not just with the bat, but his performance on the field too. I think going forward, he could be one of Rohit’s go-to part-time options. The ball would be in his hands – whether it’s leg-spin, off-spin or medium-pace. Jaiswal reminds me of a young Tendulkar. Busy all the time. This is a classic example of the saying ‘If you believe in yourself, there is hope’. Nothing is impossible. That’s just a word. He will be constantly involved,” Shastri articulated his sentiments during the commentary in Rajkot Test.