India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his stellar form in Test cricket and played a brilliant knockk against West Indies on Day 1 of the second Test. India opted to bat first after winning the toss and the left-hander helped in providing the side with a strong start alongside KL Rahul. The opening pair formed a valiant partnership of 55 runs before Rahul lost his wicket to Jomel Warrican for 36.
However, this wicket didn't stop Jaiswal as he smacked the opposing bowlers all around the stadium. He formed a gigantic partnership alongside Sai Sudharsan and the two took the Men in Blue's total over the 200-run mark for the loss of just a wicket. Though Sudharsan fell 13 runs short of his hundred, Jaiswal reached triple figures after facing 145 deliveries and remained unbeaten as the first day came to an end with India on 318/2. The 23-year-old will be continuing his innings from 173 as the second day begins and will be accompanied by Shubman Gill, who is unbeaten on 20.
Kotak impressed with Jaiswal's determination
Following the conclusion of Day 1, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared his remarks on Jaiswal's stunning innings. He praised the opening batter's determination and lavished praise on him for batting incredibly well during the first day.
“The way he approached his innings was brilliant. According to the wicket, the way he adapted, the shots he decided on that wicket, what he felt with the bounce and the pace of the wicket, was brilliant. For me, the most important aspect happened to be how determined he was about playing a big innings. Obviously he is still playing," Kotak said at the post-day press-conference.
“It is that determination and belief that even after not being so aggressive, he is batting on 173. So that shows how well he batted. I think the players like him or any players at this level will obviously see the conditions, see the wicket, assess the bounce, see the bowlers and then probably they will target the areas. So I think he did brilliantly today,' he added.
Jaiswal aiming for another double-hundred
Jaiswal has now got seven centuries under his belt when it comes to Test cricket and he will be hoping to record his third double-hundred as he takes the field on Day 2. If the 23-year-old does manage to do so, then he will become just the seventh Indian player in history to score three or more double-centuries in the longest format. The Indian players who have achieved the feat before him are - Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Cheteshwar Pujara.