LONDON, August 3 – Rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal has revealed a timely piece of encouragement from former India captain Rohit Sharma during his match-defining century on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. The young opener, who scored a sublime 118 off 164 balls, said Rohit’s brief yet powerful message — “Keep batting” — came at just the right moment during a testing day for batters.
"I saw Rohit bhai during the break and said hi. He just told me to keep batting and hang in there," Jaiswal shared during the post-day press conference. Rohit, who is currently not part of the playing XI, was seen watching from the hospitality area, his presence noted by fans and cameras alike throughout the day.
Grit and Grace Under Pressure
On a surface offering significant assistance to the bowlers — the most challenging of the series so far — Jaiswal’s knock was a masterclass in temperament and technique. His century helped India post a formidable 396 in their second innings, setting England a daunting target of 374.
Mohammed Siraj then struck late in the day, removing Zak Crawley to leave England at 50/1 at stumps, needing 324 more runs to win with nine wickets remaining.
“The wicket was a little spicy. I was enjoying it a lot. I knew what shots I wanted to play on this surface and mentally I was prepared,” Jaiswal said.
The young left-hander has been India’s standout performer in the series and continued to demonstrate growth not just with the bat but also in his mental approach to the game.
Learning from the Best
Jaiswal credited senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for shaping his cricketing mindset and improving his game.
“I’ve learned a lot from my seniors – Rohit bhai, Virat bhai, and now KL bhai and Gill. It's amazing to discuss the game with them and understand different challenges in Test cricket across conditions,” he said.
In contrast to earlier Tests in the series, where on-field chatter seemed to get under his skin, Jaiswal appeared composed and unfazed this time. His confidence was evident as he engaged in occasional banter with the English players while maintaining focus.
“It’s all about the fight. My mentality is to go out there and battle, but also to enjoy it. That’s why we play Test cricket — for the challenge and the joy. I’m proud of my teammates and myself. We want to compete, we want fun in the middle — that’s the spirit of the game,” he added.
Other Highlights
In a special gesture that went viral online, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar presented young opener Shubman Gill with custom 'SG' bats ahead of the match — a symbolic nod to the past and future of Indian cricket.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja etched his name in the record books by surpassing the great Sir Garry Sobers’ record for the most 50-plus scores by a player batting at No. 7 or lower in Test history, continuing his remarkable consistency as an all-rounder.
Looking Ahead
As India close in on a series-clinching victory, England face a steep task on Day 4 at The Oval. The highest successful run chase at the venue remains 263, making India firm favourites to close out a memorable series win.
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