[Watch] Ashish Nehra's hilarious comment to Yashasvi Jaiswal with Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma reference after 1st IND-SL T20I
Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra was at his witty best when talking to opener Yashasvi Jaiswal after the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka at Pallekele on July 27. The youngster smashed a brilliant 40 off 21 deliveries to propel India to a dominant 74/1 at the end of the powerplay.
Jasiwal's blistering start was the cornerstone of India's massive 213/7 in 20 overs, a total they defended easily to win by 43 runs. During his interview with the Sony Network after the game, Nehra poked fun at an earlier question by Ajay Jadeja on the difference between now and when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were on the T20I side.
Nehra mentioned the difference would be the shots Jaiswal displayed in the game would have only been played inside the nets.
"Ajay Jadeja asked you what's the difference when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were there (to open in 20Is). According to me, there is just one difference. If Virat and Rohit were still playing this format, then whatever strokes we saw from you today, you would have played those in the nets. Now you are getting to play those shots in the match because they (Virat and Rohit) are not there," said Nehra.
Here is a video of the same with Jaiswal's reaction:
Nehra's comments were made as a reminder of the recently concluded T20 World Cup when Kohli and Rohit opened for India in all eight games as Jaiswal warmed the benches.
Yet, the move paid rich dividends as the Men in Blue went unbeaten throughout the tournament and clinched their second T20 World Cup title.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is off to a red-hot start in international cricket
Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a sensational start to his international career after debuting in Tests and T20Is last year.
The 22-year-old has already raced past the 1,000-run mark in the red-ball format at a stunning average of 68.53 with three centuries in nine outings. Jaiswal's T20I numbers are equally impressive with an average of just under 38 and a strike rate of 164.18 in 21 games.
He is the joint-sixth fastest to 1,000 Test runs in a mere 16 innings and the second fastest by an Indian behind only Vinod Kambli. Jaiswal also equalled former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram for the most sixes in a Test innings with 12 earlier this year against England.
The Mumbai batter will be back in action when India take on Sri Lanka at the same venue in the second T20I today.