Cricket icon Anil Kumble couldn’t stop praising young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal after his magnificent unbeaten 173-run knock dominated the first day of the second Test against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Kumble, a former India captain, even suggested that Jaiswal has a golden opportunity to convert this marathon innings into a historic triple century on Saturday.
Speaking on Amul Cricket Live, Kumble remarked, “Jaiswal is consistently improving. We’ve often discussed his immense hunger and his dedication to crafting significant innings, not merely for personal milestones but for the team’s benefit. After a promising but short stay at the crease in the last match, he’s certainly made amends with this performance.”
The 23-year-old left-handed batsman, who boasts an impressive record of nearly 2500 runs in just 26 Tests, including seven centuries and twelve half-centuries, displayed exceptional endurance by batting throughout the entire first day. His masterful 173 runs, scored off 253 deliveries and featuring 22 boundaries, propelled India to a commanding position of 318 for 2 at the close of play.
Having witnessed numerous contemporary cricket legends, Kumble praised Jaiswal’s calm demeanor and his proven knack for turning good starts into colossal scores. He emphasized, “Throughout his burgeoning career, he has consistently demonstrated that he capitalizes on such opportunities. Once he settles in, he ensures his innings is impactful – and that’s truly magnificent to behold.”
Kumble also highlighted Jaiswal’s remarkable consistency in notching up massive hundreds; an impressive five out of his seven centuries have surpassed the 150-run mark. Historically, only cricketing giants like Graeme Smith and Don Bradman have achieved similar feats at such a young age, before turning 24.
Given the easing conditions of the pitch and the visible fatigue among the West Indies bowlers, Kumble encouraged the young sensation to set his sights even higher. “He’s still at the crease,” Kumble stated, “and he has the chance to score significantly more runs tomorrow. Jaiswal now has an incredible opportunity, not just for a double century, but potentially even a triple hundred.”
Should Jaiswal achieve this monumental milestone, converting his unbeaten 173 into a triple century, he would become only the third Indian cricketer to reach such a feat in Test history, following in the footsteps of Virender Sehwag and Karun Nair.