Trisha Ghosal in London
On a day when India dominated with the bat and tightened their grip on the Test, centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal addressed the media after his elegant sixth Test hundred—his fourth against England. Jaiswal spoke about adapting to the pitch, building momentum after a flashy start, and how the dressing room now genuinely believes they can level the series with two days to go.
“Playing with Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai has helped me grow”
Jaiswal reflected on the role senior players have played in shaping his game. “I’ve learned so much playing alongside Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai,” he said. “Watching how they prepare, how they handle different situations, it’s helped me grow, not just as a cricketer but also as a person.” He added that conversations with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and others have helped him fine-tune his approach: “We talk a lot about the game and what it demands. That’s helped me develop my mindset.”
“Mentally I was ready. I knew what shot I’d play”
On a green-tinged surface with uneven bounce, Jaiswal displayed poise after a nervy start to craft a match-shaping innings. “I expected the conditions to be tough here,” he said. “You need to be mentally prepared. I knew which shots I wanted to play and which ones to avoid.” Despite losing partners early, in Rahul, Gill and Karun Nair, the 22-year-old maintained his rhythm and composure.
“The wicket flattened slightly, but it wasn’t easy”
Asked whether the heavy roller changed the nature of the pitch, Jaiswal admitted it got slightly better, but remained challenging. “There was seam and bounce throughout. You had to respect the good balls and cash in on the loose ones.”
“Akash Deep batted like a proper batter”
One of the most enjoyable phases of the innings, Jaiswal said, was batting alongside Akash Deep. “He defended well, attacked when needed, and stayed calm. We were having fun, discussing how to stretch the partnership. That stand really helped us gain momentum.”
“My focus is always intent. I want to put pressure on the bowlers”
Known for his flair and unconventional strokeplay, Jaiswal didn’t shy away from explaining his approach. “I always think about intent. If the ball’s there, I back myself to go for the shot. Of course, there are times it doesn’t come off, but the feedback I get is always to keep improving and stay consistent.”
“Five-Test series hardens you. It’s why we play Test cricket”
Having now played Test cricket across India, Australia and England, Jaiswal believes each venue has shaped him. “Spin in India, bounce in Australia, swing here, it’s all part of the learning. I prefer five-Test series. It tests your skill, patience and mentality.”
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