NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals' young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on Saturday disclosed his simple batting mantra - 'if it's a loose ball, punish it'.
The left-hander played a whirlwind knock of 60, off 31 balls, for the Royals against Delhi Capitals in Guwahati, their second home, helping his side register a 57-run victory.
It was the second half-century of the season for the 21-year-old, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for the innings.
"Someday you see the ball very well. I play my shots and express myself, I had that confidence. I kept telling myself if it's a loose ball I will punish it. I will try to score runs," Jaiswal said after the match.
Jaiswal set the tone in the very first over, smashing left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed for five boundaries.
"When I started, I thought to watch out but the first two balls got fours. Then I thought I could reach a big score from here. I was seeing the ball well, I was well-set. If I'm set, I contribute to the team. My approach is always to play scoring shots," Jaiswal said.
The young batter also credited the T20 World Cup-winning England skipper Jos Buttler for bringing the best out of him, and added that he is enjoying opening the innings with the Englishman.
1/10:IPL 2023: Buttler, Yashasvi lead RR to 57-run win over DC
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2/10:JOS-YASHASVI SHOW
<p>The opening pair of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal smacked half-centuries as the Rajasthan Royals handed the Delhi Capitals their third straight loss in the Indian Premier League.<br /></p>IANS
3/10:BLAZING KNOCK
<p>Buttler blazed 79 off 51 balls and Jaiswal made 60 off 31 balls in Rajasthan’s total of 199-4.<br /></p>IANS
4/10:FIERY BOULT
<p>Trent Boult’s (3-29) double-wicket set the tone in a convincing 57-run win<br /></p>AFP
5/10:SPINNERS' SHOW
<p>Seasoned spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3-27) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2-25) squeezed the middle-order and Delhi ended up at 142-9.<br /></p>ANI
6/10:ON THE TOP
<p>Rajasthan Royals are at the top of the table with four points from three games.<br /></p>IANS
7/10:BOTTOM PLACED
<p>Delhi are rooted at the bottom.<br /></p>IANS
8/10:PERFECT START
<p>Jaiswal provided Rajasthan a perfect start after Delhi captain David Warner won the toss and elected to field. He smashed 20 in fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed’s first over.<br /></p>PTI
9/10:ROLLICKING PLATFORM
<p>Jaiswal got dismissed in the ninth over when he top-edged Mukesh Kumar after providing a rollicking platform of 98 runs with Buttler.<br /></p>IANS
10/10:SUPER BUTTLER
<p>Buttler, who hit 11 fours and a six, departed in the penultimate over when Mukesh juggled off his own bowling before holding onto a catch off his own bowling.<br /></p>AFP"It was amazing, enjoying a lot while batting. When Jos is there, he gives you very good messages, just try to play good cricketing shots," Jaiswal told reporters.
Jaiswal was adjudged man of the match for his 31-ball 60.
"I have worked hard. Trying to express myself. Learning is important for me. Growing as a young player is important for me.
"In my mind, I was like if it is a loose ball I will hit it. I think everything I learn from Buttler. I try to see how he practises. I knew I could take on a few bowlers," Jaiswal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
