Yashasvi Jaiswal Reveals Success Mantra After Match-Winning 84 Not Out Against West Indies In 4th T20I
Having faced Obed McCoy and Jason Holder at the nets earlier this year benefited Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recognised after scoring a match-winning 84 not out in the fourth T20I against West Indies to keep India in the series.
Jaiswal, who was playing only his second T20 international, toyed with the likes of Holder and McCoy as India easily chased down 179 and romped home in 17 overs with nine wickets to spare. With this victory, India has tied the five-match series 2-2, with the decider set for Sunday.
Holder and McCoy both played for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2023 and bowled heavily to Jaiswal during training. While McCoy only received one game, Holder appeared in eight IPL 2023 matches, but had little success.
Jaiswal, on the other hand, took the world by storm with 600-plus runs, including a century, and appeared to have picked up where he left off in the IPL. Jaiswal, who hit 77, was at his dangerous best with the asking rate close to nine runs per over.
The pair combined for 165 runs for the first wicket, matching KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma's performance against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson's 176-run partnership against Ireland last year remains India's record partnership in the game's shortest format.
"I've played a lot of ball against them (Holder and McCoy), which helped me pick them," said Jaiswal after the game, who was named Player of the Match. Although the wickets in Lauderhill were slightly better for batters than those in the Caribbean, Jaiswal believed it was difficult to bat on.
"It's not easy, but I'm excited to go out there and perform." I aim to play in accordance with the needs of the team. I strive to score as quickly as possible and play as many powerplay shots as possible. Everything is crucial, including reading the wicket and the scenario," said the 20-year-old southpaw.
When asked about his collaboration with Gill, Jaiswal stated that he thoroughly appreciated the right-hander's company. "It (the collaboration with Gill) was really amazing; he batted really well." "I want to thank everyone who came out and supported us," he continued.
Hardik Praise For Jaiswal-Gill
Meanwhile, India skipper Hardik Pandya praised Jaiswal and Gill's batting performance. "Shubman and Yashasvi were fantastic. "It was very pleasing to see how they ran in this heat… and… making sure they finished the job," Hardik remarked.
Earlier, a superb bowling effort headed by Arshdeep Singh helped India restrict the West Indies to a total that was disappointing given the pitch's true bounce and no turn.
With the exception of Shimron Hetmyer (61) and Shai Hope (45), none of the West Indies hitters lived up to expectations and capitalised on a golden opportunity to post a higher total. In fact, the hosts failed to record a single fifty-run stand during their innings.
The West Indies essay centred around two partnerships: a 49-run partnership between Hope and Hetmyer and a 47-run partnership between Hetmyer and Odean Smith. Arshdeep (3/38) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/26) held the West Indies batting unit under control.