Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal became the third Indian opener to score a century on his Test debut, remaining unbeaten on 143 at stumps on the second day of the first Test against West Indies in Roseau, Dominica on Thursday. Jaiswal, who was included in the squad to replace Cheteshwar Pujara but opened the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, emulated the feat achieved by Shikhar Dhawan and Mumbai teammate Prithvi Shaw before him.
Dhawan scored 187 against Australia in Mohali in 2013, while Shaw scored 134 against West Indies in Rajkot in 2018. Jaiswal became the 17th Indian batsman to score a century – equaling skipper Rohit, who was the 14th in 2013. On Test debut.
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,#INDvWIonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/59Uq9ik1If— FanCode (@FanCode) 13 July 2023
An emotional Jaiswal thanked the support of skipper Rohit Sharma, who also scored his 10th Test century on the second day. “I think this is one of the emotional knocks for me, it is difficult to get opportunities in the Indian team, I want to thank everyone, the supporters, the team management and Rohit bhai. The pitch is slow and the outfield is very slow, it was tough and challenging, it was very hot and I just wanted to keep it going for my country, just keep playing ball-by-ball and enjoying my cricket,” Jaiswal said after stumps the other day.
A special dedication after a special debut in international cricket! ,#TeamIndia , #WIvIND , @ybj_19 pic.twitter.com/Dsiwln3rwt— BCCI (@BCCI) 14 July 2023
The RR opener also scored his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) century in the 2023 season. Jaiswal scored 625 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2023 with 1 century and 5 fifties. “I love Test cricket, I love the challenge, I enjoy being in conditions where the ball swings and seams. We have worked hard on everything, I just came out to express myself. It was an emotional moment (on his ton), I was proud of myself, grateful to everyone, it’s just a start and I want to keep doing well,” Jaiswal said.
Facing the 215th ball, Jaiswal paddle-swapped Athanajé at fine leg and celebrated enthusiastically, raising his arms and leaping up to punch in the air. Soon after, the batsmen put on India’s highest opening partnership outside Asia when they surpassed Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan’s 213-run stand against England at The Oval in 1979.
Rohit eventually brought up his 10th Test century with a cover drive to the boundary, then was dismissed the next ball when he edged Athanaz with his thigh to wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva. Rohit scored 103 runs in 221 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes.
Shubman Gill requested the opener to move down to No.3 and scored only 6 when he was caught by Athanaz at short second slip off spinner Jomel Warrican. India added 99 runs in the middle session but only 67 runs were scored in 32 overs after tea.
(with PTI inputs)