Team India asserted control, with Yashasvi Jaiswal playing a pivotal role in pushing the momentum firmly in India’s favour on Day 3 of the Oval Test. Resuming his unbeaten score of 51 from Day 2, the young opener went on to score a stunning century, giving India a strong edge as the match moved into Day 4.
Jaiswal’s performance not only highlighted his consistency but also reflected a poetic sense of balance—he began and ended the series with centuries, marking this as his sixth Test ton overall and his second in the current series.
Rohit Sharma’s Advice Guided His Mindset
As Jaiswal anchored India’s innings, cameras caught a familiar face in the stands—Rohit Sharma, the former Indian Test captain. After the day’s play, Jaiswal revealed in the press conference that Rohit had shared a simple yet powerful message with him.
“He told me to hang in there and bat long,” Jaiswal said, showing how the senior player’s advice played a role in shaping his determined approach.
Although Jaiswal was eventually dismissed for 118, his crucial knock helped stabilize the innings and could end up being the decisive factor between the two sides.
Lessons, Growth, and a Fight-First Mentality
The series brought its fair share of ups and downs for the 23-year-old batter. While there were moments where he shone, there were also innings where he struggled. However, Jaiswal’s overall performance suggests he has matured both as a cricketer and a competitor.
Reflecting on what he learned, Jaiswal explained, “It’s all about how I fight. Always, the mentality is to go out there and fight it out and enjoy.” He added that despite the pressures, he tries to stay grounded by reminding himself that, “it’s the game and we need to enjoy the game. That is very important. With that, we should have fun.”
The young star also expressed pride in the team’s collective effort and emphasized the spirit of Test cricket. “I am proud of myself and all my teammates. We want fun. We want some battle in the middle. That is the fun. That’s why you play Test cricket,” he said.
