After an electrifying 25-ball 53 against Australia, young cricket sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal shared on Sunday that embracing fearlessness and playing his natural game is the cornerstone of his success. His explosive batting, combined with powerful performances from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, propelled India to a formidable score of 235 for four. This impressive total ultimately steered India to an untroubled 44-run triumph in the second T20I.
“It’s really special for me. I was trying to play all my shots. I was trying to be fearless as I was sure of my decisions,” expressed the player-of-the-match Jaiswal during the post-match presentation.
The left-handed opener credited the unwavering support of head coach VVS Laxman and skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his confidence on the field. “I have been told by Surya bhai and VVS sir to go and play freely, to express myself.”
As a cricketer, Jaiswal is not resting on his laurels but is focused on evolving his skills, especially his mental game which he asserts is crucial at the highest levels of competition. “I am trying to develop all my shots. The mental stuff is something I am working on as it is important at this level.”
There was also a moment of humility and camaraderie when Jaiswal reflected on the run-out mix-up from the first T20I at Vizag involving his partner Gaikwad. He didn’t shy away from accepting his fault, “It was my mistake in the last game and I said sorry to Rutu bhai. I accepted that it was my mistake. Rutu bhai is so humble and very caring.”
Team leader Suryakumar Yadav praised the proactive approach of the team members, stating that their readiness to accept responsibility has lightened the burden of leadership, especially against a formidable opponent like Australia. “The boys are not putting too much pressure on me. They are taking onus. I told them to be prepared to bat first here,” he remarked.
A particularly noteworthy mention by Suryakumar was of Rinku Singh, whose composure and maturity at the death overs mirrored that of a cricketing legend. “When I saw Rinku come in to bat in the last game, the composure he showed was brilliant. It reminded me of someone. Everyone knows the answer,” Suryakumar coyly referenced the iconic MS Dhoni.
Rinku Singh’s contribution to the game was extraordinary, with a 9-ball 31 not out, exuding an astronomical strike rate of 344. His approach, consistent training for high-pressure situations, allows him to maintain his cool regardless of whether he faces an extensive, or brief opportunity to impact the match score. “I bat in this number a lot. So, I am calm knowing this position. I know sometimes I’ll get 5-6 overs (to bat) or sometimes two overs,” he shared.
In his practice routine, Rinku mirrors real-game scenarios. “That’s exactly how I practice, as if I’m batting in the last five. That’s what VVS sir has also told me to train in the nets.”
His strategy is simple yet effective – to judge each delivery on its merit, adjusting his stroke play depending on whether the ball is fast or slower in pace.
Despite the soaring performance from the Indian batsmen, Australian coach Andre Borovec acknowledged a pressing concern within their camp: “If you look at the bowling, there was a fine line with execution. We weren’t able to make inroads in the first six overs.”
The victory was momentous for the Indian team, stirring the cricketing community, and shedding light on the ability and potential of emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and the strategic finesse of Rinku Singh. As both teams prepare for the ensuing matches, the spirit of competitive cricket continues to thrive and evolve with staunch passion and unwavering determination.