Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 77 and Vaibhav Suryaanshi's 39 propelled Rajasthan Royals to a 27-run victory over Mumbai Indians in a rain-affected IPL match, completing a hat-trick of wins. After losing the toss, Rajasthan posted a strong score of 150 runs for 3 wickets in the allotted 11 overs and restricted Mumbai to 123 runs for 9 wickets.

This was a remarkable win for Rajasthan Royals. When Hardik won the toss and opted to bowl, the conditions were not in his favor. It was a short match, and the pitch had been under covers for a long time, which was expected to assist the bowlers; however, Jaiswal and Suryaanshi were undeterred as they approached the game with aggression.

They set the tone of the match with a brisk partnership, reaching a total of 150 runs in just 11 overs. Mumbai's chase never gained momentum, losing the wickets of Reekelton and Surya Kumar in the first two overs, and soon Rohit was dismissed as well. After losing three wickets for just 22 runs, Mumbai's challenge faltered.

Sherfane Rutherford and Naman Dheer scored 25 runs each for Mumbai, while other batsmen came and went quickly. For Rajasthan, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets each. Earlier, Mumbai's bowlers struggled to maintain their length in the first three overs.

Both Jaiswal and Vaibhav attacked Mumbai's bowlers relentlessly, scoring 22 runs each in the overs bowled by Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult, and even 14 runs in Bumrah's over. Hardik bowled brilliantly, conceding only 4 runs. Apart from those three overs, all other overs saw runs in double digits.

Jaiswal enjoys playing against Mumbai, having scored both of his IPL centuries against this team, and if he had 10 more balls, he would have completed his third century tonight. He batted with clear intent and struck the ball cleanly.

Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 77 runs off 32 balls, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes, while Suryaanshi scored 39 runs off 14 balls, including 1 four and 5 sixes. Captain Riyan Parag contributed 20 runs off 10 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes.

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Roseau (Dominica), July 14 (IANS) Young Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made a spectacular hundred on Day Two of the Test match against West Indies, revealed the backing he received from captain Rohit Sharma while batting and said the skipper encouraged him to score big on his debut.

On the back of centuries from Jaiswal (143 not out) and Rohit (103) India maintained their upper hand in the first Test, reaching a dominant position of 312/2 in their first innings and a lead of 162 runs at the end of the second day on Thursday.

Jaiswal, who resumed on 40 not out, was watchful, accelerated after the lunch break on Day Two and completed a well-made hundred. Notably, his opening partner at the other end, skipper Rohit, had also made a Test hundred on debut, also against West Indies, in 2013. The left-handed opener became the 17th Indian to score a century on Test debut to make a hundred. The last one to do so was Shreyas Iyer in 2021 against New Zealand in Kanpur.

Speaking on his Test century on debut, the 21-year-old expressed that reaching the milestone was a deeply moving experience for him, and vowed to continue his progress when the play resumes on Friday.

"It feels really good. It was an emotional moment (getting 100). My batting is still going on so the effort will be to play as long as possible for the team. This is the start of my career so I'll strive to take that as long as possible too and see how focussed and disciplined I can be going ahead," Jaiswal said in the post-day press conference.

He further said he has dedicated his debut century to his parents while saying that it’s been a long journey for him.

"It was very emotional for me, for my family. And for all those who have supported me throughout because it has been a long journey for me. I want to thank everyone who has helped in any way along the way and I want to dedicate this to my parents because they've had a big influence on my life, and I want to thank God. Don't want to say too much...I am happy, but this is the start. I need to keep up," he added.

Jaiswal went on to reveal that he actively engaged in conversations with Rohit throughout the partnership, seeking his valuable insights on how to approach playing at the venue. Rohit and Jaiswal stitched a 229-run opening stand, which is the second-highest for India in Tests in West Indies.

"I spoke a lot to Rohit bhaiya while batting. He kept explaining to me how to bat on this wicket and where the runs would come. We had very good communication between us.

"Before the game also, he was talking to me, telling me 'You have to do it'. So I kept thinking about that and how I should prepare mentally and score runs. So, I think I've learnt a lot from this game and I'll try to keep doing that going forward too.

"It makes a lot of difference when experienced players and legends of our team (like Rohit, Virat, Rahane) sit with you, talk to you... It makes a big difference because I keep learning from them," the 21-year-old said.

When asked if the 200-mark landmark playing on his mind, Jaiswal said: "My aim is to give the team a good start on Day 3. Besides that, what happens, happens."

Currently batting on 143, Jaiswal is only 44 runs short of Shikhar Dhawan's 187 which is the highest individual score by an Indian batter on Test debut. With Kohli and Jaiswal in the middle, India will be looking to build a big lead on Day 3 at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) Terming the second day of the first Test against West Indies as Yashasvi Jaiswal's day at Roseau, Dominica, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has said the left-handed opener will now look to dominate the bowlers on the third day.

The young opener struck a brilliant century on debut that helped India take a strong position in Windsor Park as India strengthened their position on Day 2 of the 1st Test on Thursday and it was Jaiswal who led the way. At the close of play, the visitors had reached 312/2 with Jaiswal staying unbeaten on 143 in the company of former captain Virat Kohli, who is batting on 36.

Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma too struck a brilliant century before he was caught by wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva off Alick Athanaze for 103. Sharma and Jaiswal put on 229 for the opening wicket.

Looking forward to the third day’s action, JioCinema expert Pragyan Ojha said: “Day 2 was out and out Yashasvi’s day, the way he batted and got his maiden Test 100. On Day 3, it’ll be very crucial how he starts because it is not easy for a batter on this kind of tricky track to come on and take on the bowlers. So, as he gets his eyes in, I am pretty sure that he will look to dominate a few bowlers and raise the scoring rate.”

Resuming on an overnight 80 for no loss, India added 232 runs and lost the wickets of Sharma and Shubman Gill (6 runs). So, is the stage set for Kohli to take charge on Day 3? 

“When we talk about the wicket it’s very tricky and not that easy for a batter to come and get those runs. We saw initially, Virat was trying to settle down. So, I think the longer time he spends in the middle the better the chances of him scoring the runs. The best thing is India has all the time in the world for them to give that little bit of a cushion where Virat can go out and look for that three-figure mark,” Ojha was quoted as saying in a release by the broadcaster on Friday.

Ojha also said India should factor in the weather conditions when they decide about the timing of the declaration. 

“Because they are playing in a coastal area, they have to remember it may rain. And when it rains they must be prepared for it. If overs are lost due to rain, then I think India needs to plan accordingly. I feel somewhere around 300-320 will be a good score where they can put pressure back on West Indies,” he said.

New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) Yashasvi Jaiswal is all set to make his Test debut as an opener against the West Indies on Wednesday in the first Test at Dominica, and this opportunity could not have come at a better time.

The 21-year-old was in red-hot form during the recent IPL, and is also a proven performer in the longer formats of the game. 

During a preview show, JioCinema expert, Aakash Chopra said: “The good thing about Yashasvi Jaiswal's selection is that it's not just on the back of IPL runs. Yes, he was absolutely phenomenal and scintillating in this edition of the IPL, but then he scored a mountain of runs—truckloads of runs—in First Class cricket playing for Mumbai and West Zone.” 

The former India opener added: “In fact, wherever he has played, whichever team he has represented so far, he has scored a lot of runs, and therefore, just the understanding of playing the day format, understanding the pulse of what is required of a batsman in the day format, will hold him in good stead. It won't be easy, and it won't be a cake walk, for a simple reason that there is a gulf between First Class cricket and Test cricket when we talk about the standards. But I think Yashasvi Jaiswal, over a period of time, will really do well.” 

Another expert Abhinav Mukund, said: “Yashasvi is one of the more impressive young players coming out of this country, and I am excited to see how he goes in Test cricket. I feel he will respond well. Considering the conditions with the Dukes ball and the fact that there will be a bit of grass, I think Jaiswal will have a challenge, but I think he has the technique, skill set, and most importantly, the mind-set to play Test cricket.” 

New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has selected Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh as the young batters that have impressed him in ongoing IPL 2023 and feels that the two left-handed batters can present a late case for being part of this year's Men's ODI World Cup in case the national side is hit by further injuries.

"One is (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, simply because of the way he's played this season. And for me it is a marked improvement from what I saw from him last year, which is a very, very positive sign."

"It shows that there's a young guy prepared to work on his game, sort out things, get a more all-round game into play and he's done that this season. Just the power with which he's re-taking shots. Just the pockets he's hitting around the ground as opposed to last year is very good," said Shastri in the latest episode of The ICC Review show.

Jaiswal has been a standout batter for Rajasthan Royals with 575 runs in 13 innings, while Rinku lit up the tournament with his five straight final-over sixes for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans in the early part of the league stage. As of now, Rinku has amassed 407 runs in 13 innings.

"The other bloke is Rinku Singh, which is a great story. The more I see of him, that guy has got a fabulous temperament. He's tough as nails. Both these guys have come through very hard backgrounds."

"They've worked very hard initially in their lives and nothing's come easy for them. So you can see that hunger, that passion, that drive that is so needed to make it to the top," added Shastri, a member of the 1983 ODI World Cup winning team.

He further noted that young left-handed batters Tilak Varma, B Sai Sudharsan and right-handed finisher Jitesh Sharma, who have produced outstanding performances in IPL 2023, can also be in the mix alongside Jaiswal and Rinku. "As far as batting goes, there's Tilak Varma, there's Jitesh Sharma from Punjab (Kings) too who is a wicket-keeper-batter who's pretty dangerous and has stood out."

"There's even Sai Sudarshan, a left-hander (who has also caught the eye). But I would put Tilak Varma, I would put Jaiswal, I'd put Rinku Singh. (They) are the candidates who can really push through along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who's been around for a while."

"These are the guys who can push for selection, depending on their form closer to the World Cup. And depending on injuries. If there are injuries to any key players, then these guys can come straight away into the mix," concluded Shastri.

Kolkata, May 12 (IANS) Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is forcing the national selectors to take notice of his talent and give him an India call-up, post his record 13-ball fifty in a stunning nine-wicket takedown of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.

Chasing 150, Jaiswal began like a high-speed Ferrari as he scored 50 in just 13 balls, including smacking 26 runs in the opening over off Nitish Rana. In the process, Jaiswal reached the quickest fifty in IPL history with the help of seven fours and three sixes, surpassing the previous record of a 14-ball half-century in the tournament scored by K.L. Rahul in 2018 and Pat Cummins in 2022.

"Yashasvi Jaiswal isn't just knocking at the doors of the Indian Cricket Team, he seems to be breaking it with his consistently good performances. He's carried his imperious form of domestic cricket into IPL. What a talent he is! The future of Indian Cricket is in good hands," Harbhajan was quoted as saying by Star Sports.

Jaiswal was sparkling in his strokeplay, combining bravado and fearless approach to hit 13 fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 208.51 to be 98 not out while sharing an unbroken 121-run partnership with captain Sanju Samson for the second wicket as Rajasthan are now at third position in the points table.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri agreed with Harbhajan's opinion on Jaiswal and claimed the time is ripe to include young talents in India's T20I side as senior players prepare for the ODI World Cup, to be held at home later in the year.

"If Team India is focusing on ODI World Cup, selectors should look to give as many opportunities to the youngsters like Yashasvi and Rinku. These players should be fast-tracked and can be prepared for next year's T20 World Cup in West Indies. If the selectors don't pick them now then I don't know what else they are looking for," he added.

Previously in the match, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal became the highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history, going past Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. With his mesmerising spell of 4-25, Chahal now has 187 wickets in 143 matches, over'aking Bravo's tally of 183 wickets, while also being the leading wicket-taker in the competition.

Harbhajan signed off by hailing Chahal for his consistently good show and playing with batter's minds in the competition.

"Yuzvendra Chahal does not play the format but plays with the mind of the batsmen. He bowls completely with his mind and is not afraid of getting hit for sixes. He makes the best use of the pitch, and due to this the batsmen find it difficult to play him."

Mumbai, May 1 (IANS) Former cricketer Robin Uthappa feels that young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit an impressive century for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in an IPL 2023 match, is one of the next superstars of Indian cricket.

Mumbai Indians pulled off a stellar six-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals in a high scoring thriller at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday night to keep their 2023 IPL playoff hopes alive.

The Royals got off to an incredible start in the first innings with Yashasvi smashing 124 runs (62b, 16x4, 8x6) for the most scored in a single game this season and also securing the Orange Cap in the process.

They set a target of 213 runs for Mumbai, which MI achieved through a 55-run knock from Suryakumar Yadav (29b, 8x4, 2x6) and a game-finishing performance from Tim David, who scored a quickfire 45 runs in just 14 balls (2x4, 5x6).

Despite the loss, Yashasvi Jaiswal had the most prolific scoring performance of any batter this season with his 124 run innings, also his first ever IPL century.

"He's one of the next superstars of Indian cricket. He has shown his intent from the word go. Fearless batting and going out there, very brave with the way he approaches it. He's put in all the work this season and the hard work is finally paying off. Sixteen fours tonight and some scintillating sixes," said JioCinema IPL expert Robin Uthappa, while praising the young opener.

David finished the Mumbai run chase off with three sixes in the final over to win the match with three balls to spare.

Former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel complimented Australian's ability as a finisher and the importance of the role in T20 cricket.

"He can perform under pressure and help them win matches. The role of a finisher is extremely important, especially when you are chasing a massive total. You need a big innings in the lower order with a strong strike rate and Tim David is doing that. Under pressure, a bowler knows that Tim David has the reach and strength to punish you for any mistakes. He can hit a boundary or a six, as we saw today," said Parthiv.

Even though MI can celebrate a win that's helped them keep themselves in the playoff race, Uthappa is worried about the massive cracks in their bowling that have reared its head in recent games.

"This game will make it feel like all's well with the Mumbai Indians, but it really isn't. They really need to figure out their bowling and how they finish overs because they're doing fairly decent until the 15th over, especially in the last three games, they were on course to defend 170, and 180, and then in the last five over something happens and they kind of lose the plot. Then they give 60, 70, 80, 90 runs in the last five overs, which is diabolical for them," said Uthappa.