JaisBall — The Wunderkind
Test cricket is the toughest format of the game. It requires the player to understand the intricacies of when to attack and when to leave, who and who not to take on. It has become a dying art as players have grown more impatient of late.
Fortunate for India, Jaiswal could be one of the last standing artists of Test cricket. It's just 7 tests in international, and I am sure he has mastered it. This 214* is an excellent testament to that. He got out quite cheaply in the first innings chasing a 4th stump ball. A good learner is one who corrects his mistake immediately.
Jaiswal is one. He bided his time in the second innings initially. He respected Wood and Anderson who were bowling with the new ball. He was calm and composed, taking singles and doubles whenever he can. In fact, his first boundary came only at the 48th delivery.
Once he absorbed the condition and read the bowlers, the course of the game changed. He took the bowlers to cleaners. He was once batting at 35 off 73 but rocketed to 90 off 108 in under 8 overs. Such was his progression. Jaiswal completed a century sooner but the back pain made him retire for the time being.
When he resumed his batting today, he was more assured of himself than the last time. He didn't play any loose shots. The wannabe spinners, Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley, were treated as they deserved to be. The void that has been felt since Pant left was filled today. The partnership with Sarfraz was a sight for sore eyes. The left and right-handed duo continued to wreck the bowlers.
Jaiswal ended up with a whopping 12 sixes in the innings, equally Wasim Akram's record for most sixes in an innings. He also completed 500 runs in this test series, the only player to do so. The next best is Ben Duckett with 288 runs. He also joined the elite list of Indian players to hit consecutive double centuries with Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli.
Jaiswal has shown promise since his Ranji days, and he has effectively replicated that to an international career. Sans any injuries, the incredible journey of the wonder kid has just begun, and we are to be treated with greatness for a long haul.
#Jaiswal #INDvsENG
I've made corrections to grammar, punctuation, and some minor stylistic adjustments for clarity. Let me know if you need further assistance!
