Follow UsAfter three disappointing outings, there were a few concerns surrounding Yashavi Jaiswal in ODI cricket, but the left-hander shattered all doubts with a masterful maiden century in the decider against South Africa in Vizag on December 6 (Saturday).
Chasing 271, Jaiswal shared a 155-run opening stand with his former Test partner Rohit Sharma, and then kicked on post the latter’s dismissal to post his maiden ODI ton. The 24-year-old eventually finished unbeaten on 116 to guide the team to a nine-wicket win and subsequently also a series win.
Jaiswal, in the chase, also shared an unbroken 116-run stand with Virat Kohli, and he spoke about how the veteran’s advice helped calm his nerves and play a big one.
“Virat paaji, the minute he came, he started playing a lot of shots and we kept chatting as well. He kept giving me small targets that I need to focus on. So, it was helping me towards my goal as well. So, I really enjoyed it,” Jaiswal, Player of the Match, said after the game.
The left-hander also revealed he had fruitful chats with Rohit about the tempo in the chase. The pair started very watchfully but eventually ended up racking up a run-a-ball 155.
“We [me and Rohit] have been chatting a lot about how we can play and how we can set the target and what tempo we can play. So, I'm trying to understand. I had starts in the last two games but I couldn't convert. So, we have been speaking about how we can convert this and how we balance this inning.”
A very established Test opener already, Jaiswal is still learning his craft in ODIs. He’s still only four ODIs old and, despite posting a ton already, is still figuring out the right pace to go in in 50-over cricket. The youngster gave an insight into his thought process while playing 50-over cricket.
“I was just thinking how I can balance the inning. So, sometimes I need to be attacking and sometimes I was thinking, okay, maybe I'll take a single or I'll run the game. So, that was my plan and it was pretty good,” Jaiswal revealed.
“I have to control my thoughts on where I can play, what shot I can play and how I can play as deep as possible. And with keeping that in my mind that if it requires, I need to go after the bowlers.”