Former India pacer Ashish Nehra is known for his witty remarks. Nehra showed his witty side during conversation with young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal who warmed the benches during ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The left-handed batter contributed with a quickfire 21-ball 40 in the first T20I of the three-T20I series.
Jaiswal did not get a chance to open the innings in the marquee event as Virat Kohli was promoted in the batting order. After India's 43-run win over Sri Lanka under Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, Nehra said that Ajay Jadeja asked him what the difference was when Kohli and Rohit Sharma were opening in T20Is compared to now. Nehra said that had the two legendary batters been playing in the format, Jaiswal would have played these shots in the nets.
"Ajay Jadeja asked you what's the difference when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were there (to open in 20Is). According to me, there is just one difference. If Virat and Rohit were still playing this format, then whatever strokes we saw from you today, you would have played those in the nets. Now you are getting to play those shots in the match because they (Virat and Rohit) are not there," said the 45-year-old.
Jaiswal uses fielding restrictions as well
Jaiswal was left in splits after Nehra's witty remark. Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to field first. Jaiswal started the innings with a boundary off Dilshan Madushanka. He hit the first six of the innings off Maheesh Theekshana in the third over. He smashed Ashitha Fernando for a maximum as well. After six overs, India were 74/1. Shubman Gill departed for a 16-ball 34. Jaiswal could not complete his fifty and got out stumped off Wanindu Hasaranga's bowling. His 21-ball 40 was laced with five fours and a couple of sixes.
Jaiswal’s performance in Zimbabwe
Despite joining the squad after two T20Is due to T20 World Cup 2024 celebrations, Jaiswal finished the second-highest run-scorer of the five-T20I series. The 22-year-old scored 141 runs from three innings including an unbeaten 93 in the run chase. His strike rate was 165.88.
So far, Jaiswal has played 21 T20Is and scored 683 runs at an average of 37.94 including one century and five fifties.
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