Yashasvi Jaiswal took no time to make an impact in the ongoing first Test against England as he belted a historic ton on Day 1 at Headingley, Leeds. Jaiswal cracked an unbeaten 101 riding on his elegant batting style, for which he has already garnered immense praise, particularly for his masterful command of the off-side.
How Yashasvi Jaiswal batted through cramps to crack historic century
This century in England adds to Jaiswal's growing list of impressive achievements, making him the first Indian batsman to score a hundred in his debut Test match in both Australia and England. His performance underscores a particular affinity for the English bowling attack, against whom he has now scored three of his five Test centuries. His record against Brendon McCullum's squad is formidable, having accumulated a massive 813 runs in just 10 Test matches.
Highlighting the immense determination behind the innings, Jaiswal later revealed that he battled through painful cramps in both of his hands. Despite the considerable discomfort, he persevered, demonstrating immense fortitude to not only continue batting but also to reach a significant personal and historical milestone, setting a new record in the process.
“I had cramps in both hands but it happens. I kept working on my game so that I can express myself in the middle. Amazing to bat with Shubman Gill and enjoyed my time in the middle with him,” Jaiswal said after end of the day.
Jaiswal's innings was a spectacle of controlled aggression, embellished with 16 fours and a six. He maintained a brisk pace, scoring at a solid strike rate of 63.52, which was instrumental in propelling India to a commanding total of 359 for 3 by the close of play. This strong position was established after England's captain, Ben Stokes, chose to field first, a decision India's batters met with formidable resistance. A cornerstone of India's dominant performance was the substantial 129-run partnership for the third wicket between Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill. This crucial stand laid a robust foundation for the team, marking a powerful start to what is being seen as a "red-ball reset" for Indian cricket.
With the departure of iconic batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the squad, there has been intense scrutiny on India's youthful new batting line-up. The pressure to perform and fill the void left by these stalwarts was immense. Jaiswal acknowledged this heightened expectation, indicating that he was well aware of the responsibility resting on the shoulders of the emerging players to prove their mettle on the international stage.
“We will try and do well for our team and the country. Mental switch is very important when you are playing under pressure. To stay in a good environment is key. Preparations were very good before the series in Beckenham. The ground was so good, great atmosphere. There were challenges today as well,” he concluded.
India resumed Day 2 from 359/3 with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant unbeaten at 127 and 65 respectively.