Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian opener, revealed that his mantra for success is to play his natural game fearlessly after his impressive knock of 53 runs off 25 balls against Australia. Jaiswal’s innings, along with half-centuries by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, propelled India to a total of 235 for four and led them to a comfortable 44-run victory in the second T20I match.
During the post-match presentation, Jaiswal expressed his delight at his performance, stating, “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.” He credited head coach VVS Laxman and captain Suryakumar Yadav for giving him the freedom to express himself and play his style of cricket. Jaiswal added, “For me, I think I can develop (as a cricketer) and I am not thinking about anything else. I am still learning.”
Jaiswal also acknowledged his mistake in the previous T20I match in Vizag, where a mix-up with his opening partner Gaikwad resulted in the latter’s run out. He apologized to Gaikwad and praised his humility and care. Moving forward, Jaiswal emphasized his focus on developing all his shots and working on the mental aspect of the game.
On the other hand, captain Suryakumar Yadav commended the team’s sense of responsibility against a formidable opponent like Australia, which has made his leadership role easier. He mentioned that the players have not put excessive pressure on him and were prepared to bat first in the match.
Suryakumar also highlighted the maturity shown by Rinku Singh in the death overs, as he played crucial cameos in the last two matches. Drawing a parallel, Suryakumar said, “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,” clearly alluding to the legendary MS Dhoni.
Rinku Singh, who scored an unbeaten 31 off just 9 balls in the match, credited his training for his calmness in such situations. He revealed that he often bats in this position, so he is accustomed to it. Rinku follows the advice of VVS Laxman and trains in the nets as if he is batting in the last five overs. He also emphasized the importance of playing each ball according to its merit, analyzing whether it is a slower or faster delivery and responding accordingly.
The Australian coach, Andre Borovec, acknowledged the fine line in execution by his bowlers, resulting in their inability to make inroads in the first six overs. He recognized the impressive performance by the Indian team and their dominance throughout the match.
Overall, India’s victory over Australia in the second T20I was fueled by the fearless batting of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan, along with the team’s responsible approach. The development of young players like Jaiswal and Singh bodes well for the future of Indian cricket.
