Two extremes framed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden Test outing on Australian soil. A nought in the first innings and then a compact 161 in the second.
Perth has surely weathered the youngster in the best possible manner, setting him up for stronger performances in the rest of the series.
With Rohit Sharma joining the squad on Sunday afternoon (Australian time) and set to be available for the second Test in Adelaide, India will be bolstered by the addition of their regular captain. But Rohit is neither in good form nor in rhythm at present, so India certainly needed a confident and assured Jaiswal not just to see off the new ball but also to keep the Australian bowling attack under pressure with his aggressive batting, just as he did in the second innings at the Perth Stadium.
The day-night Adelaide Test, from December 6, will not be too easy for the young left-hander as even bigger names have struggled against the pink ball in Australian conditions. Besides, it was at the same Adelaide Oval where India suffered the 36-all out humiliation on their previous tour Down Under in 2020-21.
However, fearlessness is one key element of Jaiswal’s game and when that drives his stay at the crease, he can be unstoppable. It was the turn of the Australian bowlers to bear the brunt.
“I always wanted to play with a fearless mindset. I always believe in myself and take brave decisions,” Jaiswal said at the news conference on Sunday, after India positioned themselves for a big win, needing just seven more wickets for a 1-0 lead in the series.
“It really was an amazing experience to play against such quality bowlers in their country, and it’s special to score a hundred against the world’s best,” the 22-year-old said.
Scoring a daddy hundred after not even opening his account on Day I of this opening Test was indeed “special” for Jaiswal. “It was a very special moment for me. I always wanted to tour Australia and do well, and this knock is very important for me.”
For sure, the Perth Stadium pitch flattened out after offering the quicks a fair bit of assistance on the opening day in terms of bounce as well as seam movement. India’s 46-run first-innings lead after scoring only 150 in the first essay was certainly crucial, but equally key was getting off to a solid start against the new ball and making sure Australia had to chase a stiff target.
Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s 201-run opening stand not only ensured that, but did more as it put India in the driving seat. Jaiswal had an anxious moment or two during his 432-minute stay at the crease, but Rahul, till he was there, played the role of an ideal senior, guiding his junior teammate. That did settle Jaiswal’s nerves, particularly when he looked a tad edgy in his 90s in the morning session of Day III.
“We have been playing together for a while. We talk among ourselves in the dressing room. Whenever I felt nervous in the middle, Rahul bhai was telling me to remain focused and calm.
“It was helpful because you are going to get some good balls on these kinds of pitches,” Jaiswal said. “The wicket was seaming a bit more in the first innings.
“In the second (innings), we were discussing how to play the new ball better — which balls to leave and which to play. So, it was important for the team that I play the new ball better.”
Setting small targets was Jaiswal’s strategy in the second innings. “I never thought I would get this big a hundred as my goals were small. I wanted to take it session by session.
“Then, as I said, I had a good partnership with Rahul bhai. He was guiding me during the partnership, so that too helped a lot.”
