Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the talk of the town after his terrific century against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on April 30. Opening the batting along with Jos Buttler, Jaiswal smashed 124 off just 62 balls to propel Rajasthan Royals to a massive total of 212/7.
The next best score for RR in the innings was Buttler’s 18, and that sums up the quality of Jaiswal’s knock and how important it was for the team. The Royals still went on to win the match, though, as Tim David’s 14-ball cameo of 45 got them home with three deliveries to spare.
But current Indian captain Rohit Sharma was full of praise for Jaiswal after the game, stating, “He is definitely one for the future. I hope he keeps his head grounded and does wonders for Rajasthan and India as well.”
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra was thrilled by Jaiswal’s innings, terming the youngster an all-format player.
“There is no doubt in my mind or your mind that the most valuable player of the match has to be Yashasvi Jaiswal. Firstly he is an all-format player. Don’t even think by mistake that he plays well only in T20s. He demolishes the opposition in day’s cricket,” Chopra said.
Jaiswal’s performance in domestic cricket last season was impressive, and he has already amassed 428 runs in nine matches, currently sitting at the top of the IPL 2023 Orange Cap list. Chopra added, “He has a double century in the first innings and a century in the second innings of the Irani Trophy final. If you check his numbers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is 50-over cricket, he has scored a double century. He is made of a different material. The guy is different.”
Chopra further highlighted that since Jaiswal is originally from Mumbai, he is very well accustomed to the conditions. The former opener also pointed out that even though Jos Buttler was struggling against Jofra Archer, Jaiswal looked confident. “He played an unbelievable knock. He knows this ground well because he is from Mumbai and knows the nook and corner of the ground. There was actually a lot of help from the pitch. There was bounce and sideways movement.”
Chopra concluded, “Jofra Archer was actually firing on all cylinders. He was bowling fast, and Jos Buttler was getting hit all over the body, but Yashasvi started to hit. He pulled the ball for a six and then fours and sixes one after the other. He not only played the fast bowlers on this pitch but dominated them.”
