There is something about Yashasvi Jaiswal that sets him apart. It’s not the penchant for strokes, an array which includes some outrageous ones. It’s not about looking so assured and at ease either. These are traits a lot of batters show. The left-handed opener stands out for his hunger for big scores. Not a lot of batters of his generation display this characteristic.
Jaiswal belongs to the T20 breed of cricketers. Born in December 2001, he grew up as a player who saw that the shorter format is the one that matters, in terms of everything. He is a good enough T20 player himself, holding the record for the fastest Indian Premier League half-century, which came off 13 balls. For him to have this kind of appetite for big Test scores is remarkable.
When it comes to Perth and Indians, Sachin Tendulkar’s 114 in 1992, VVS Laxman’s 79 in a winning cause in 2008 and Virat Kohli’s 123 in 2018 are hailed as landmark efforts. Jaiswal’s monumental 161 in the ongoing series will rate ahead of those if India go on to win this. Coming after the 0-3 humiliation at home against New Zealand and 150 all out in first innings, this is some comeback.
Jaiswal stands out for his desire. It’s easy for a product of the T20 age to lose it after getting a few runs. There are many examples worldwide. This boy from Uttar Pradesh who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket is different because he goes big after playing himself in. All four of his Test centuries — including two doubles — are in excess of 160. This is serious application.
It was known that Jaiswal likes to dominate the attack. He holds the record for the most number of sixes in a calendar year for a Test batter. He had taken apart James Anderson in breathtaking manner in Rajkot earlier this year. In Perth, this boy who had to battle the odds of life at a young age, came up with a performance which proves he has the other gear.
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It was a lot about not playing the ball against a world-class attack that tested him. Jaiswal was gone for a duck in the first innings nibbling tentatively at one outside off stump. In the second innings, he was far more assured. There were no half measures. If he left the ball, he did that with conviction. When he had a go at it, it was done with an equal amount of confidence.
In all likelihood, this marks the beginning of an era. To succeed in Australia is a major recognition for any Test batter and to do this with that kind of authority on his maiden appearance in the country is a huge sign of maturity. With his range of shots, temperament, strengths against pace and spin and the refusal to give up after getting a start — Jaiswal seems destined for bigger things.
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