The third and final ODI between India and South Africa in Vizag on Saturday, December 6, witnessed a stellar performance from Yashasvi Jaiswal with the bat. The left-handed batter smashed his maiden century, scoring an unbeaten 116 runs off 121 balls, including two sixes and 12 fours. His brilliant innings played a crucial role in India’s victory by nine wickets, securing a 2-1 series win. This remarkable achievement also made him just the sixth Indian player to have centuries in all three formats of the game.
Jaiswal started his innings steadily, taking 75 balls to reach his half-century before accelerating in the latter part of his knock. He formed key partnerships of 155 and 116 runs with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the first and second wickets, respectively. This solid performance came after he was given the opportunity to replace the injured Shubman Gill in the ODI series, having scored 18 and 22 in the previous matches.
Following his century, several cricketing experts praised Jaiswal for his exceptional innings. Former Indian cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Kaif, and Zaheer Khan all commended the young talent for his impressive display.
Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged Jaiswal for seizing the opportunity and believed that his century would make a strong case for his selection in future matches. He highlighted the abundance of batting talent in the Indian team, emphasizing the tough choices the selectors will face with the return of Shubman Gill.
Mohammad Kaif lauded Jaiswal for his perseverance and ability to adapt his game while learning from experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He emphasized the importance of Jaiswal maintaining his newfound approach to succeed as an opener in the long run.
Zaheer Khan praised Jaiswal for executing a well-thought-out plan against left-arm pacers in the series decider. He emphasized the significance of top-order batsmen converting their starts into big scores to establish India as a consistent ODI side.
Harbhajan Singh also joined the chorus of praise for Jaiswal, highlighting his pedigree at the top of the order and his ability to dominate quality pacers in the past. The former spinner commended Jaiswal for his knack of turning good starts into substantial innings.
Overall, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden century in ODI cricket has not only announced his arrival on the international stage but has also showcased his potential as a future star for Indian cricket. His stellar performance in the series decider against South Africa has earned him accolades from cricketing legends and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting career ahead. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been receiving high praise from former cricketers for his outstanding performance in the recent ODI series. One such cricketer is Virender Sehwag, who expressed his admiration for Jaiswal on his YouTube channel. Sehwag highlighted Jaiswal’s fearless approach to batting, citing instances where he took on top bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer with confidence.
Sehwag commended Jaiswal’s strength and calibre, noting that the young player has the potential to make a significant impact in the Indian team. He was particularly impressed by Jaiswal’s ability to play long innings and deliver match-winning performances. Sehwag emphasized the importance of having players like Jaiswal in the team, who possess both talent and determination to succeed at the highest level.
Kris Srikkanth, another former cricketer, echoed Sehwag’s sentiments and labeled Jaiswal as an all-format player. Srikkanth emphasized the significance of Jaiswal’s maiden century in the third ODI, stating that it would secure his place in the squad alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad when other players return from injury. He stressed the importance of scoring big hundreds to make a lasting impression and secure a spot in the team.
Srikkanth also predicted a bright future for Jaiswal, highlighting his success in Test and ODI formats and expressing confidence in his potential in T20Is as well. He acknowledged the pressure Jaiswal faced in the third ODI but praised his ability to deliver under such circumstances, earning him the Player of the Match award.
As Jaiswal continues to showcase his talent and potential, he will be looking to build on his recent success and solidify his place in the Indian team. With the support and admiration of former cricketers like Sehwag and Srikkanth, Jaiswal is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the world of cricket.
