NEW DELHI: Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten century, 179*, emerged as the saving grace for India on the opening day of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
With India's top order struggling, Jaiswal's pivotal innings earned widespread acclaim from cricket experts and former players.
Scorecard: India vs England 2nd Test
Former India cricketer Akash Chopra hailed Jaiswal's performance on his YouTube channel, stating, "The most fantastic performance came from Yashasvi Jaiswal's bat. How well the kid batted. He gave a lot of respect to James Anderson's bowling."
Chopra further commended Jaiswal's remarkable conversion rate of fifties into hundreds.
"When spin came, he hit two fours in the first over. After that, he showed why this player is so special. His conversion rate of fifties into hundreds for players who have 10 or more centuries in first-class cricket, he is even above Sir Don Bradman at this point in time," Chopra added.
Another former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, highlighted Jaiswal's mature approach towards Anderson, noting, "It wasn't like Jimmy Anderson didn't bowl much, he bowled a lot. I don't think a single boundary was hit by Jaiswal against him. That is maturity."
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha, sharing his admiration on Colors, lauded Jaiswal's mindset, shot selection, and flow, stating, "Other than that, the mindset he showed and the flow with which he batted, he played on merit and showed today why he has such good numbers and why he has such a good conversion rate."
The praise extended beyond Indian shores, with former England skipper Alastair Cook calling Jaiswal "absolutely outstanding."
Speaking on BBC, Cook emphasized, "He's delivered when his side needed it. It was an innings of maturity and skill beyond his 22 years."
Jaiswal's outstanding century not only rescued India from a precarious position but also showcased his ability to handle pressure and dominate the opposition.
As the second Test progresses, all eyes will be on Jaiswal to continue his stellar form and guide India to a commanding position against England.
