Yashasvi Jaiswal
added a few more stars to his growing reputation as an opening batter with a match-winning half-century in India's second T20I against
Afghanistan
at the Holkar Stadium in
Indore
on Sunday and said that batting alongside
Virat Kohli
and having a senior like captain
Rohit Sharma
is "incredible".
Chasing a challenging 173 to win, Jaiswal produced a breezy knock (68 off 34 balls) despite losing his opening partner Rohit, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Jaiswal then added 57 runs with Kohli, who was dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq for 29.
"I enjoyed batting and the pitch too was very good. It was a decent target for us to chase, so my focus was on giving the team a good start and continue to produce runs," said Jaiswal in a video posted by BCCI on 'X'.
"It's always a pleasure to play with Virat bhaiya, it's an honour. We were having conversations on where and what shots we can play on this wicket," he added.
Rohit and Virat have returned to the T20 squad after opting out of the short-format white-ball matches on India's tour of South Africa.
Jaiswal said Rohit gives him the freedom to play his natural game.
"He (Rohit) says go and play freely, the shots you have. He is always there and looks after us. I think it's incredible if you have a senior like him (in the team)," said Jaiswal.
The youngster also produced a moment of brilliance in the field when he outpaced Farooqi off the last ball of the Afghanistan innings to run out the tailender.
The moment unfolded when Naveen-ul-Haq and Farooqi tried to complete a second run on overthrow after Jitesh Sharma's attempt at a direct hit missed the stumps. Jaiswal backed up to collect the ball, but just a split second before aiming for the stumps with a throw, he changed his mind and ran towards the stumps. The Indian batter eventually beat Farooqi (0) in his attempt to reach the crease and dislodged the bails.
"I was in two minds, whether to go for a direct hit or not, then I figured that I can reach the stumps (before Farooqi can enter the crease) and sprinted to take off the bails," said Jaiswal.
Batting first, Afghanistan rode on Gulbadin Naib's 57 off 35 balls and a late-order flourish to reach a competitive 172 all out. Arshdeep Singh led the bowling charts for India with his spell of 3 for 32.
India responded in style to reach the target in 15.4 overs for a six-wicket win, thanks to breezy half-centuries by Jaiswal and Shivam Dube (63 not out off 32 balls).
"I have to work hard and do even better. I am on it, so let's see," said Jaiswal about his batting before signing off.
English (US) ·