Yashasvi Jaiswal shone on Day 3 of the fifth Test against England at The Oval, marking a significant moment in his burgeoning career. With former Indian captain Rohit Sharma observing from the stands, Jaiswal produced a stellar performance to celebrate the occasion. His aggressive batting, punctuated by several boundaries, was met with enthusiastic cheers. Despite a few close calls with dropped catches, Jaiswal reached his fourth century in overseas Test matches. Post-match, Jaiswal disclosed the simple yet powerful message he received from Rohit Sharma: “Keep playing.” Having shared the field with seasoned cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill, Jaiswal emphasized the influence of these experiences on his game and mindset. He spoke about the importance of tactical planning, shot selection, and run-scoring strategies. He particularly noted how learning from senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has aided his growth, observing their dedication to Test cricket. Jaiswal expressed his appreciation for the camaraderie and collaborative discussions with his teammates, including KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. His century came off 127 balls, marked by a celebratory fist pump and kisses to the crowd, including his parents. Jaiswal’s innings ended at 118 runs off 164 balls after an attempted upper cut off Josh Tongue resulted in a catch by Jamie Overton. This innings was critical in setting up India’s commanding score of 396 in their second innings, confirming Jaiswal’s rising status in the Indian Test team.
