"A lot of people had different opinions, some felt his aggressive game wasn't suited to red-ball cricket" - Salil Ankola on Yashasvi Jaiswal
Former India pacer and national selector Salil Ankola opened up about people being initially apprehensive about Yashasvi Jaiswal's bold and aggressive style of play in the formative stages of his career. The left-handed batter churned out runs on the domestic circuit in an unorthodox manner before transitioning to the national side.
Although Jaiswal's ultra-aggressive approach is accepted now because it aligns with how the game is played today, the scenario was not the same when the southpaw burst onto the scene. His approach was deemed alien in red-ball cricket, and not many backed him to succeed.
However, since his first-class debut in 2019, his average and strike rate both reads 70, way above the usual standards set by the rest. Jaiswal's approach has been backed by the Indian management as well, and he has flourished in his role at the top of the order.
Salil Ankola recalled how some selectors were unsure of the approach, risking Jaiswal's entry into the team after lockdown was lifted.
"As a selector, you go by your instincts too. He has the attitude, flair, and guts, that street-smartness you want in a cricketer. I felt Jaiswal had that. However, his selection (for the Mumbai Ranji team that year) was against all odds. A lot of people had different opinions- some felt his (aggressive) game wasn't suited to red-ball cricket. But I trusted my instincts," Ankola said in an interview with the Times of India.
"I felt that the game had become faster, and this boy would do well in all formats. Luckily, a couple of other selectors backed me on this, and Jaiswal proved us right," he added.
Jaiswal scored 498 runs in just three matches in the 2022 Ranji Trophy season, and the year also included his 2022 U-19 World Cup exploits along with a promising Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
"He's a once-in-a-generation player" - Salil Ankola on Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal has cemented his place in the Test side and is among the favorites to be the long-term T20I opening batter following Rohit Sharma's retirement. He is yet to make his ODI debut but is viewed as a long-term all-format player for India by the fans as well as the team management.
"I knew this guy was special, and he proved it. When you watch a batsman, the first thing you notice is his range of shots, and he has that. He's got great timing and power-a rare combination. His 'flow' is tremendous, as is his bat speed and swing. That's what struck me about him. Some players are technically correct, while some are clean hitters-he's both. He's a once-in-a-generation player," Ankola said in the same interaction.
Jaiswal has begun the home season on a prolific note. He scored twin fifties over a strike rate of 100 in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur and had also chipped in with a crucial and patient half-century in the series opener.