Former India batter Mohammad Kaif was effusive in his praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal after latter's splendid 175-run knock on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies. Kaif went on to compare the young opener's impressive early career statistics to those of cricketing icons like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar after their first 26 Test matches. Kaif went further, stating confidently that the 23-year-old is the player destined to break Virender Sehwag's unique Indian record. Sehwag remains the only Indian batsman to have scored more than one triple-century in Test cricket, having notched up two such scores in his career.
Mohammad Kaif's big words for Yashasvi Jaiswal
“Yashasvi Jaiswal is a batsman with the patience to score big hundreds and set new marks. In his first 26 matches, his numbers are as good as Sachin and Virat. Scoring at high strike rate, his hundreds mostly put India on path to victory. Sehwag ka 300 wala record, Jaiswal hi todega,” Kaif said on X.
Jaiswal hogs limelight with superlative 175
Jaiswal's phenomenal form was on full display during the first day of the second Test against West Indies. He powered the Indian innings with a blistering century that came off just 145 balls. By reaching this milestone, Jaiswal became only the second batsman in Test history, after South Africa legend Graeme Smith, to have scored seven Test hundreds as an opener before the age of 24. Furthermore, among all Indian batsmen, only Sachin Tendulkar had scored more centuries than Jaiswal before turning 24.
Jaiswal resumed India's innings on Day 2 and had reached 175 runs before his promising knock was cut short by a run-out. Following his departure, skipper Shubman Gill took charge, leading the way with his tenth career century. Gill ultimately played a selfless innings, ensuring his key strike-bowler, Ravindra Jadeja, had ample time to tighten the noose on the West Indies team as India galloped towards another comprehensive victory in the second Test on Saturday.
Gill, who cruised to 129 not out in the post-lunch session, was batting with a clear focus on the team's needs rather than personal milestones. He showed little regard for an easy double century, which seemed inevitable against the poor quality of the bowling attack. Instead, he declared the Indian innings one hour into the post-lunch session with the hosts reaching a formidable total of 518 for five.
Jadeja and Kuldeep tighten screw on West Indies batters
Despite the pitch showing little significant wear and tear, it proved good enough for Ravindra Jadeja (3/37) to work his magic in tandem with Kuldeep Yadav (1/45). The two spinners were instrumental in restricting the West Indies, reducing them to 140/4 in 43 overs by the end of the day's play.