Experienced fast bowler Ishant Sharma has expressed his belief that Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian cricketer, is ready to open the batting for India in English and Australian conditions. Jaiswal, who has had an impressive Test debut against West Indies, is considered a promising prospect for Indian cricket in the coming decade.

Jaiswal, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, has showcased his talent by scoring 1845 runs in 15 first-class matches and has also made a mark in the Indian Premier League. This performance earned him the opportunity to debut in the Caribbean, where he delivered a scintillating century.

Reflecting on Jaiswal’s performance in the first Test, Ishant Sharma highlighted the youngster’s ability to execute cut and pull shots with ease against the new ball, which he sees as a positive sign. He also noted that Jaiswal demonstrated caution by refraining from playing cover drives, a shot that carries the risk of getting caught behind or in the slips.

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“In my opinion, he is absolutely ready [to play in England and Australia] because if you see this innings as well, all the boundaries he hit, especially against the new ball, they all came with cut or pull shots,” Ishant Sharma commented during a discussion on JioCinema.

“It is a great sign for an opening batsman when he refrains from playing a cover drive to a full delivery. If you play the cover drive, there is a chance of you getting caught behind or in the slips. He looked to score runs only with cuts and pulls against the new ball, which is every batter’s strength. Whenever the ball was pitched up, apart from an odd loose shot, he either defended it or played with the full face of the bat. This becomes very important for an opener,” Ishant Sharma added.

Thanks to the impressive centuries by Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma, India currently holds the upper hand in the first Test. While Rohit couldn’t convert his 10th Test century into a bigger score, Jaiswal has the opportunity to build on his unbeaten 143 at the stumps.

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Although Shubman Gill, batting at No. 3, fell cheaply, Virat Kohli is looking solid once again, ending the day unbeaten on 36 after taking some time to settle in. The partnership between Kohli and Jaiswal will be crucial on Day 3, potentially shaping the outcome of the match.