Young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a stunning response to his Asia Cup snub by scoring a brilliant maiden One-Day International century to guide India to a series-clinching victory against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
From Disappointment to Dominance
Despite being overlooked for the Asia Cup squad earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal chose to focus on hard work rather than dwell on disappointment. The left-hander had previously stated that selection was in the hands of the committee and he would keep improving while waiting for his chance. That chance arrived in the decisive ODI at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, and he seized it spectacularly.
Playing only his fourth ODI, Jaiswal crafted an unbeaten 116 runs from 121 balls, an innings decorated with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His composed knock was the cornerstone of India's successful chase of a 271-run target, which they achieved with considerable ease to take the series 2-1.
Gambhir's Praise and the Road Ahead
India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was full of praise for the youngster after the match. He acknowledged Jaiswal's proven quality in Test cricket and highlighted this innings as just the beginning of his white-ball journey. Gambhir also mentioned Ruturaj Gaikwad's credentials, emphasizing the need to build a strong pool of 20-25 players ahead of the next ODI World Cup.
However, the coach was pragmatic about the team's composition when senior players return. "Once your captain and vice-captain is back, obviously they are your starters," Gambhir said, referring to the imminent return of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. He stressed the importance of keeping talented youngsters like Jaiswal motivated and ready to grab any opportunity that comes their way.
Gambhir was particularly impressed with how Jaiswal paced his innings, respecting the new ball against a potent bowler like Marco Jansen before accelerating. "He was able to see off the new ball... And we know that once you're able to see off the new ball, things can get much easier," the coach analyzed.
Learning from the Best: Rohit and Kohli's Influence
Jaiswal himself credited his senior teammates for his growth. He revealed having extensive discussions with skipper Rohit Sharma about gameplay and tempo. The young batter also highlighted the value of batting alongside Virat Kohli, who helped him set targets and manage the chase during their partnership.
"I've been unable to convert the starts. I was only thinking of how to balance the innings," Jaiswal admitted, explaining his mindset. "Sometimes I need to be more attacking and sometimes get singles and consolidate. I have to control my thoughts." His century in Visakhapatnam showed he is learning those lessons quickly.
The victory marks a positive start for India's post-T20 World Cup ODI rebuilding phase, with Jaiswal staking a strong claim for a regular spot in the side with a performance that blended patience with powerful stroke-play.
