"Has the cricketing world at his feet" - Sunil Gavaskar hails Yashasvi Jaiswal for sensational knock on Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar praised young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his sensational knock on the second day of the first Test against Australia in Perth. After not opening his account in the first innings, his first-ever batting stint for India down under, the 22-year-old made amends in the second essay.
With India leading by a valuable 46 runs after the first innings, Jaiswal propelled the side to a dominant position with an unbeaten 90 off 193 deliveries. His two-session-long vigil included seven boundaries and two maximums, keeping the legendary Aussie attack at bay.
Speaking to the local broadcasters after the close of play on Day 2, Gavaskar praised Jaiswal for his incredible desire for runs.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal has the cricketing world at his feet. He is hungry for runs and that's exactly what Indian cricket needs. A left-hander, who at the top of the order can create problem for the bowlers. He brings a completely different perspective. He loves to play his shots, and isn't an ultra watchful batter. He will play his shots," he said.
A century will be Jaiswal's fourth and a second away from home in his young Test career of 15 games.
The youngster received great support from veteran batter KL Rahul (62* off 153) as the duo helped India reach a remarkable 172/0 in their second innings, resulting in an overall lead of 218.
"We as batters used to say, I want a hundred. He says, let me get a 150 or a 200" - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar further praised Yashasvi Jaiswal's desire and ability to convert his centuries into 150s and 200s.
The southpaw scored a brilliant 171 on his Test debut and his next two centuries were also converted to double tons.
"This boy is special. Where he has come from, the way he has been batting, the way he has been handling things. Against England, he scored more than 700 runs in 5 Tests with 2 double hundreds earlier in the year. He looks so hungry for runs, which is what you want. We as batters used to say, I want a hundred. He says, let me get a 150 or a 200," said Gavaskar.
Jaiswal scored 712 runs in the five-Test series against England at home - the third most by an Indian batter in a bilateral Test series.
He averages an outstanding 57.57 with three centuries and nine half-centuries in his 28 Test innings.