Jaiswal's bat has revived many benchmarks within the seven Tests he has played.
Amidst the fervor of cricket enthusiasts, Yashasvi Jaiswal's meteoric rise in the Indian cricket scene has been nothing short of spectacular. Hailed as the second-best Test opener for India after Sehwag, Jaiswal's remarkable performances have filled the void left by Rishabh Pant's absence. With comparisons to cricket legends like Bradman and Sachin, Jaiswal's prowess on the field speaks volumes.
His debut match against West Indies saw him smashing a stellar 171, showcasing his insatiable hunger for runs. His 80 against England in Hyderabad further underscored his exceptional talent. However, it was his consecutive double centuries at Visakhapatnam and Rajkot that truly solidified his status as a generational talent.At just 22 years old, Jaiswal joined the ranks of Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli, achieving a feat that few can match.
Jaiswal's strength lies in his inability to keep himself within the line and not to be able to fit into a box, his versatility is limitless.
He can also travel on the defensive platform as the abode of classical cricket, changing gears and expanding into the T20 template if the need arises. The second innings of this match is the exemplary example for this.
He scored just 35 runs in the first 73 balls and reached 75 runs in the next 49 balls. Patience, temperament, clean hitting – all these elements that a batsman needs to understand in Test cricket are in him.
What matters most is his clarity not only on when to tighten the grip of the game, but also when to press the accelerator. Whether in the innings he played with Gill before the injury break or when he came back and played fielders with Sarfraz Khan, he was ahead of every point in the batsman-bowler race.
As Sehwag said, Jaiswal was blindfolded and kept on the sidelines. The fact that Duckett had added credit to it was a side effect of the horror it caused. Whether it was Tom Hadlee chasing the ball outside off stump at extra cover before being injured, or the creative shot of Reagan Ahmed's reverse pull at backward point, his bat swayed in the air and painted spectacular shots. His sweeps and reverse sweeps against the spinners took poetic form as an orchestra of a visualised symphony.
Jaiswal now shares the record with Wasim Akram for most sixes in a Test innings. With two matches remaining, he also holds the record for most sixes (20 sixes) in a single series.
In a recent match, Jaiswal's strategic gameplay left spectators in awe. From patiently building his innings to unleashing a flurry of boundaries, he showcased a remarkable blend of skill and temperament. His record-breaking sixes and impeccable shot selection have earned him accolades from veterans and fans alike.
Only Sehwag and Pant have changed the white jersey so colourfully for India before.
Though Jaiswal bears the resemblance of both Sehwag and Pant, his individuality is also on the rise. Jaiswal had once shared a technique that was made possible by coach Zubin during Rajasthan Royals' match. Jaiswal said he had learnt the technique from him and that he could exert as much power as possible by keeping his elbow as bent as he can, the moment the ball meets the bat. It was the result of practice and perseverance that came down like a thunderbolt on the head of every opposition bowler.
Jaiswal spared no one, even took on Anderson, he fired three consecutive sixes in the 85th over of the innings. The low full-toss was timed superbly from the left-hander as the ball sailed over the fence.'Jaisball' put Anderson to the sword during his blitz.
Earlier, Irfan Pathan had compared Jaiswal to Sourav Ganguly, who has been hailed as the 'God of Offside'. Ben Stokes' action of filling the off side with seven fielders before Anderson bowled this particular over confirmed the same.
But that strategy also turned into a caricature content with a hat-trick six. The hi-fi that Ben Stokes once gave to Jaiswal was also the result of that awe and recognition of its acceptance.
In the same match, when Jaiswal was dismissed in the first innings against Mark Wood, all the doubts about his ability has completely vanished now. As Kevin Pietersen noted, there were no flaws or weaknesses in his game to exaggerate. That's his biggest strength. He has the maturity of an accomplished batsman who has faced thousands of balls over the years, but also has a clear indent, and is not afraid of anything.
Jaiswal is adept at all kinds of shots of classical cricket and he also produces innovative shots. He also handles it effectively according to the bowlers and fielding situations.
The first-class cricket experience of crossing 2500 runs with an average of 70+ also comes in handy here. Jaiswal is the only player to have scored a double century in Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy and now Test cricket.
With an impressive track record across various cricket formats and a hunger for success, Jaiswal's journey to the top has only just begun. As he continues to rewrite cricketing records and defy expectations, he's poised to leave an indelible mark on the sport.
Whether his place in the Indian team will be permanent in the future is a question of the past cause these double centuries have strongly marked his place in the Indian. "He's not here just to sustain, he's here to rule!"