Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t hide his joy after scoring his first Test century in England. The young Indian opener credited his skipper Shubman Gill for creating a calming presence at the other end during their crucial partnership. Together, they steered India out of trouble on Day 1 of the first Test at Leeds.
The duo added 129 runs for the third wicket, lifting India from 92 for two to 221 by the end of the second session without further loss. Jaiswal’s knock was a masterclass in patience and adaptability.
“Whenever I make a century, wherever it is, I enjoy it. I love it as all my centuries are special. But of course, there are some special moments… first (century in England),” Jaiswal said in the post-match press conference.
He also shed light on the chemistry between him and Gill. “We were speaking a lot in the middle and trying to take it session by session. There was amazing camaraderie between us. The way he batted, calm and composed, I enjoyed it a lot,” he added.
This was Jaiswal’s third overseas Test century after impressive performances in the West Indies and Australia. His strategy? Simple. “The plan was to put away the bad balls and place the shots well. I was just batting as per the needs of the team,” he said.
Coming into the Test after a hectic IPL season, Jaiswal had minimal red-ball practice. But the 23-year-old emphasized the importance of mental preparation. “Switching formats mentally is key. It helps you enjoy the game even under pressure,” he noted.
Practice matches for India A and an intra-squad game against the senior team helped him adjust to English conditions. “We got a lot of inputs from Gautam sir (Gambhir), which helped in playing a long innings,” Jaiswal said, also mentioning he battled cramps during his knock.
India’s tour of England is off to a solid start, thanks to Jaiswal’s brilliant century. His ability to adapt and thrive in challenging conditions makes him a key player for India in this series.
