Cricket legend Anil Kumble praises Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maturity and hunger for big scores after his unbeaten 173 on Day 1 of the 2nd Test vs West Indies, calling Saturday a potential day for the record books.
Port of Spain, Trinidad | October 11, 2025
Under the Caribbean sun, the Indian flag fluttered over a dominant opening day — and at the centre of it stood a young man rewriting the rhythm of Test batting. Yashasvi Jaiswal, just 22, walked off the field unbeaten on 173, his eyes still gleaming with intent.
India finished Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies in commanding control, and cricket legend Anil Kumble believes the left-hander might just be on the cusp of something extraordinary.
“He’s in that zone where he can turn this into a 300,” said Kumble during the post-day analysis. “It’s not just about timing or form — it’s his temperament that’s special. Jaiswal’s ability to reset after every session reminds me of the greats.”
A Knock That Announced Intent
Jaiswal’s innings was a blend of youth and poise — a rare sight in modern Test cricket dominated by white-ball aggression. Opening alongside Rohit Sharma, he navigated the new ball cautiously before expanding his range once the West Indian attack began to tire.
By the 60th over, his cover drives were fluent, his pulls decisive, and his footwork crisp. The hallmark of his innings was control — only 12 false shots in more than 250 deliveries.
“He looked like he was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers,” said commentator Ian Bishop on air. “Every move was calculated, every risk measured.”
India in Command
At stumps, India’s scoreboard read 362 for 2, with Shubman Gill (78) providing fluent support before falling late in the evening. The pitch in Port of Spain remained placid — slow but true — ideal for accumulation.
The West Indies, who opted for an extra spinner, struggled to maintain pressure. Kemar Roach’s disciplined bursts and Jason Holder’s cutters offered brief resistance, but Jaiswal’s unbroken vigil deflated all hopes of an early breakthrough.
India’s decision to bat first looks vindicated, and with two full days of batting ahead, the focus has shifted from mere dominance to potential records.
Kumble’s Words of Wisdom
Anil Kumble, India’s most successful Test bowler and former captain, is not one to indulge in hyperbole. But his praise for Jaiswal carried the weight of conviction.
“Triple centuries don’t happen by accident,” Kumble said on Star Sports. “They come when a batsman marries ambition with discipline. Jaiswal has that rare balance — he doesn’t get carried away.”
He drew parallels to Virender Sehwag’s historic 319 in Chennai and Karun Nair’s 303* in Chennai (2016), both achieved through relentless concentration over long hours.
“Yashasvi has the engine for it,” Kumble added. “He’s physically fit, mentally fresh, and technically sound. The next morning is about rhythm — if he crosses 200 before lunch, history beckons.”
A Journey Forged in Grit
Born in Suriyawan, Uttar Pradesh, and raised in the bylanes of Mumbai, Jaiswal’s rise is a tale of resilience. From selling street snacks near Azad Maidan to becoming India’s Test opener, his journey embodies the ethos of hard work and self-belief.
His hunger for long innings was visible even in age-group cricket. At 17, he scored a double century in the U-19 World Cup and a 203 in the Ranji Trophy debut season. Those who watched him at the National Cricket Academy recall his obsession with batting “till the lights go out.”
“He never wants to leave the nets,” said coach Amol Muzumdar. “He’ll face 300 balls, then throw 200 more to his partner. That mindset translates to these marathon innings.”
Technical Mastery on Display
Jaiswal’s batting against West Indies showcased a wide technical repertoire:
- Front-foot dominance: Confident stride into line, nullifying swing.
- Soft hands in defense: Allowing seamers no chance to find edges.
- Aerial control: Only one lofted shot in the first 100 runs.
- Balance against spin: Using his crease intelligently against off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall.
He reached his century in 187 balls, celebrating with an understated raise of the bat — the hallmark of a player aware that his job was only half done.
From Talent to Temperament
What separates Jaiswal from many of his peers is his ability to sustain focus across sessions.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar explained:
“Yashasvi bats like a man from another era. In T20s, he’s explosive; in Tests, he’s monk-like. That adaptability is gold.”
Bangar pointed out Jaiswal’s mental conditioning: meditation, visualization drills, and long-format endurance routines.
“He trains not just for shots, but for stillness. That’s the secret.”
The Context: India’s Next Batting Pillar
Since the retirements of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s Test lineup has searched for a new anchor — a player who can grind out long innings overseas.
Selectors see Jaiswal as that successor. His technique suits both pace-friendly conditions and turning tracks.
“He’s the bridge between the old-school patience of Dravid and the modern confidence of Gill,” said former cricketer VVS Laxman, now director at the National Cricket Academy.
Laxman praised Jaiswal’s “red-ball discipline,” adding, “He doesn’t chase milestones; he builds them.”
Comparisons and Caution
Fans and pundits have drawn early comparisons between Jaiswal and legends like Sehwag and Gavaskar — openers who turned starts into epics.
Kumble, however, urged restraint.
“Let him grow his own identity,” he said. “Comparisons are flattering but unnecessary. What matters is that he’s batting like a leader already.”
Indeed, Jaiswal’s calm demeanor — no sledges, no celebration excess — reflects a maturity beyond his years.
West Indies’ Dilemma
The hosts, already down 0–1 in the series, face an uphill climb. Their bowling attack lacks bite in the absence of senior pacer Alzarri Joseph.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite admitted at stumps:
“We tried every plan. The ball didn’t move much. We’ll need early wickets with the second new ball or this game could slip away fast.”
The second new ball, due early on Day 2, may be their final chance to break through.
Fans Anticipate a Historic Saturday
On social media, “#Jaiswal300” began trending within hours of the day’s end. Fans recalled the drought of Indian triple-centurions in Tests — the last being Karun Nair in 2016.
By evening, cricketing greats from across generations chimed in.
Virender Sehwag posted on X:
“Keep batting, @ybj_19. Big innings build big careers. You have the time and the talent.”
Even opposition legends joined the chorus. Brian Lara, speaking to a Caribbean broadcaster, remarked:
“He reminds me of a young Graeme Smith — strong at the top, but with flair. If he paces it right, 300 is not far.”
What Records Are in Sight
If Jaiswal converts his 173 into 300, he would:
- Become India’s youngest triple-centurion in Tests (at 22 years, 4 months).
- Join the elite club with Sehwag, Karun Nair, Dravid, and Laxman as Indian batsmen with 250+ Test knocks overseas.
- Surpass his own career-best 171* on debut — setting a new personal benchmark.
India’s highest overseas Test score remains Virender Sehwag’s 309 (Multan, 2004).
Coach and Captain Reactions
India’s head coach Rahul Dravid hailed the innings as “clinical” and “calculated.”
“He never forced the pace. His awareness of match situation is remarkable for someone so young.”
Skipper Rohit Sharma added:
“He’s redefining what it means to be a modern Test opener. He absorbs pressure and plays risk-free cricket — something we’ve been missing.”
Both hinted that if conditions hold, India could aim for a 600+ total before unleashing spinners Ashwin and Jadeja.
The Test Match Equation
| Day | India’s Status | Key Highlights |
| Day 1 | 362/2 | Jaiswal 173*, Gill 78, Rohit 61 |
| Day 2 (Projected) | India aims for 550+ | West Indies to use 2nd new ball early |
| Pitch Report | Flat surface, low bounce, spin to aid Day 3-4 | |
| Weather Forecast | Clear skies, moderate humidity |
A 300 from Jaiswal could allow India to declare by mid-day Saturday and press for an innings victory, strengthening their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) table.
Kumble’s Legacy and Connection
Anil Kumble’s endorsement carries special weight. As a player who took 619 Test wickets and once scored a gritty century at The Oval, Kumble values endurance — a trait mirrored in Jaiswal’s batting.
“In cricket, it’s easy to play a cameo,” Kumble reflected. “What’s rare is the ability to stay — session after session — and make the opposition wilt. That’s what Yashasvi is doing.”
He also hinted that Jaiswal’s composure mirrors early Dravid or Laxman, noting: “He trusts his defence like a veteran.”
The Psychology of Big Scores
Sports psychologists say a player’s mental conditioning often decides whether a double century becomes a triple.
Dr. Shilpa Desai, sports psychologist at NCA, explained:
“Once a batsman crosses 150, the challenge shifts from focus to fatigue. Maintaining concentration for 10 hours is like meditation under pressure.”
She added that Jaiswal’s calm facial expressions — few signs of frustration or adrenaline — reflect a rare cognitive discipline.
Jaiswal Speaks: ‘I’m Just Enjoying My Batting’
At stumps, Jaiswal spoke briefly to reporters, his words measured.
“I’m not thinking about numbers,” he said. “I just want to keep batting for as long as possible and put the team in a strong position. It’s a good pitch, and the goal is to play session by session.”
His humility drew admiration. “For a 22-year-old to sound like that,” remarked Harsha Bhogle, “you know he’s made for Test cricket.”
Rekindling India’s Test Romance
In an age dominated by T20 flash and franchise leagues, Jaiswal’s innings felt like a tribute to the timeless beauty of Test cricket — slow, layered, and poetic.
Fans in Port of Spain held banners reading “Real cricket is alive” as the left-hander’s drives rippled across the outfield.
“There’s something romantic about watching a young man build his innings in whites,” Bhogle added on commentary. “It reminds us that patience still pays.”
Historic Parallels
India’s last young player to bat this long overseas was Virat Kohli in 2014 (against Australia). Before that, Sachin Tendulkar’s 179 in 1999 at Nagpur marked a defining moment of maturity.
Cricket historians suggest Jaiswal’s 173* could be that same turning point — the day India found its next long-format talisman.
“It’s poetic that his initials are YJ — Youth and Judgment,” wrote columnist Rajan Bala Jr. in a viral post.
Global Media Reacts
International media outlets praised Jaiswal’s “old-school innings in a modern age.”
- BBC Sport: “India’s new run machine is born.”
- The Guardian: “Jaiswal’s hunger mirrors Pujara’s calm, Sehwag’s flair.”
- Cricbuzz: “A marathon in the making.”
Even Australian legend Ricky Ponting, now coach at DC in IPL, tweeted:
“Knew he had temperament. But 173* on Day 1 — that’s Test class.”
Day 2: What Lies Ahead
If Jaiswal continues at the same rhythm, milestones await:
- 200 by mid-session.
- 250 post-lunch.
- 300 possible before Tea.
The team’s plan is to keep batting till at least mid-afternoon, piling pressure on the West Indian batsmen who will face the pitch at its driest.
The Broader Message
Beyond numbers, Jaiswal’s innings symbolizes India’s renewed Test identity — a blend of aggression, discipline, and youth.
“For a generation raised on IPL, he’s proving that Test cricket still builds legends,” said Rahul Dravid.
“It’s the hardest format — and that’s what makes it special.”
Conclusion: A Historic Dawn Beckons
As the sun sets over Port of Spain, the scoreboard tells one story, but Jaiswal’s eyes tell another — unfinished business.
Anil Kumble’s words echo through the commentary box:
“If he wakes up tomorrow with the same hunger, we might be watching something that happens once in a generation.”
From the maidans of Mumbai to the grandstands of Trinidad, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 173 not out is more than an innings — it’s an anthem of patience in an age of pace.
Tomorrow, he may cross numbers that echo forever in Indian cricket’s memory.
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