Follow UsIndia made a mockery of chasing down 179 against the West Indies in the fourth T20 International (T20I) in Florida. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (84*) and Shubman Gill (77) put on 165 for the first wicket to help India level the series 2-2.
Jaiswal's T20I debut did not go as planned, as he was dismissed for just one in Guyana, but he made amends in the next game in Florida, scalping the Player of the Match award in the process. Jaiswal also had a memorable Test debut a few weeks ago when he hit 171 on his debut at Roseau.
Jaiswal credits the confidence given to him by some senior players and the head coach in the dressing room and also believing in his process.
“I just keep telling myself that ‘I trust, I believe and I will do that.’ To achieve that I need to be disciplined, I need to eat well, sleep well, practice hard. I think it is all about believing in yourself. You need to work hard, stick to your process and keep fighting. There will be hope. Keep telling yourself that I can do this, keep trusting in your abilities. Working hard is important, when the pressure comes, that will help you,” Jaiswal told reporters after the fourth T20I at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium.
“Representing our country is always a proud moment. It was really nice to get my fifty as well. There are a lot of thoughts and work behind it. I am so blessed and grateful that I am able to express myself. It is just a start. I need to keep milking it. I want to make sure that I am ready for tomorrow [decider]."
Jaiswal also brushed asides comments likening him and Gill to Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who have been among India's most successful opening pairs, especially in ODIs.
“What they [Rohit and Dhawan] have done is amazing. They are legends of the game. I just think that we just need to go and try doing what we can do. We have a long way to go," the 21-year-old said.
“I go and talk with my seniors. We have amazing bunch of seniors like Rohit bhaiya, Virat bhaiya, Hardik bhaiya, Surya bhaiya and Rhaul sir. The way they talk. I make sure to listen to their experiences. I just try to gather as much information possible from their talks and put that in my game."
After being 0-2 down in the five-match series, India have found a way to crawl back and make it 2-2. With momentum on their side, they now have a chance to clinch the series as well, which did not look possible after the initial stages.