NEW DELHI: With three daddy hundreds in just 14 Tests, opener Yashsavi Jaiswal has had a sparkling start to his Test career.
Two double hundreds against England at home, a 171 on debut in the West Indian and a brilliant average of over 56.28 have made Jaiswal the most talked-about Indian batters in recent times.
But the 22-year-old now has his biggest challenge in front of him as India take on Australia in the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
In the challenging conditions Down Under, Jaiswal’s grit, determination and mental toughness will be tested to the limits; and former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that the opener will bring his A game to the table in Australia and will be an even better player after the tour comes to an end.
“I think he’ll be a better player when he leaves Australian shores. Already, he’s world-class,” Shastri said at Fox Cricket/Kayo Summer of Cricket Launch. “You saw what he did against England — just the freedom with which he plays. He’s come up the hard way, so you can see that hunger and passion, not just in his eyes but in the way he fields and stays involved in the game.”
Jaiswal will be playing his first-ever match in Australia when the BGT commences in Perth on November 22.
Against the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Jaiswal is set to face baptism by fire on the bouncy Australian tracks.
Shastri wants Jaiswal to embrace the conditions and feels that once the youngster settles in, he will thrive in Australia.
“If he can see that phase through, he will love these pitches. He scores freely and has the temperament to thrive in tough conditions,” Shastri said.
With regular skipper Rohit Sharma set to miss the first Test, Jaiswal is likely to have KL Rahul as his opening partner in Perth.
Since last Thursday, the Indian team has been sweating it out at the WACA stadium in Perth, having extended net sessions and simulation matches to get used to the conditions ahead of the start of the series.
On Tuesday, the team had their first training session at the Optus Stadium in Perth – the designated venue of the first Test beginning on Friday.
