Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal lit up Headingley on Day 1 of the first Test against England with a magnificent century that put the hosts on the defensive. Batting under clear skies on June 20, Jaiswal seized the momentum early and maintained a commanding presence at the crease. Reflecting on his innings, he credited an intense intra-squad practice match with India A—where he faced Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana—as a key factor behind his confidence and composure.
Speaking to Dhruv Jurel in a post-match BCCI interview, Jaiswal revealed how the final practice game shaped his mindset. “Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah were bowling extremely well. But I survived. I got so much confidence from that knock that I believed if I can survive, I can score runs later on,” he said. Despite not scoring heavily in previous India A matches against the England Lions, the resilience he showed in that intra-squad match gave him the mental edge to succeed when it mattered most.
Jaiswal also emphasized the extensive preparation India undertook before the series and expressed his joy at how things unfolded on the field. “We did a lot of preparation before coming here. It was a lot of fun to play, and it felt very good to bat. I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot,” he said. His ability to switch gears—from defense to attack—was instrumental in dominating the English pace attack and setting the tone for the series.
He also spoke about his growing partnership and understanding with senior batter KL Rahul. “KL Rahul is very experienced. I can understand a lot by talking to him—where the runs can be made and how to build an innings. It was a lot of fun to play with him,” Jaiswal said. Highlighting their joint preparation with India A, he added, “We did a lot of batting together, which helped us understand each other. I try to give myself time, stay mentally ready, and create a good platform for the team.”
