Sunil Gavaskar was impressed by Yashasvi Jaiswal's performance in the Perth Test on Saturday, November 23. After a disappointing first innings, Jaiswal scored a half-century in the second innings, helping India gain control of the match.Jaiswal and KL Rahul formed a strong opening partnership, adding 172 runs for the first wicket. At the end of Day 2, India had a substantial lead of 218 runs. Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten on 90, is aiming for his maiden Test century in Australia. Gavaskar praised Jaiswal's hunger for runs and acknowledged his special talent.
Sunil Gavaskar sings Yashasvi Jaiswal's praise after his batting exploits in Perth Test
"This boy is special. Where he has come from, the way he has been batting, the way he has been handling things," Gavaskar told the broadcasters.
"Against England, he scored more than 700 runs in 5 Tests with 2 double hundreds earlier in the year. He looks so hungry for runs, which is what you want. We as batters used to say, I want a hundred. He says, let me get a 150 or a 200," he added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has emerged as India's best batter in 2024, amassing an impressive 1209 runs in just 12 matches, with an average of 57.57. His remarkable consistency with the bat has made him one of the standout performers for India this year.
Gavaskar also said that Jaiswal is hungry for runs and that's exactly what Indian cricket needs.
"He is hungry for runs and that's exactly what Indian cricket needs. A left-hander, who at the top of the order can create problem for the bowlers. He brings a completely different perspective. He loves to play his shots, and isn't an ultra watchful batter. He will play his shots. Yashasvi Jaiswal has the cricketing world at his feet," Gavaskar concluded.
Jaiswal also etched his name in the record books by surpassing Gautam Gambhir's tally for the most runs by an Indian left-handed batter in a calendar year. Jaiswal is also on the heels of England's Joe Root, who has scored 1338 runs in Tests this year. With his current form, Jaiswal is firmly in the race to challenge Root's total as 2024 progresses.
Jaiswal will look to convert his exceptional knock into a well deserved hundred when he and KL Rahul will resume India's batting on Day 3 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's first Test. Besides Jaiswal, it was KL Rahul who chipped in with a sold 62 runs off 153 balls to put India on driver's seat.
