In a thrilling turn of events, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young batting sensation from India, made his Test debut against West Indies at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Dominica on July 12. Joining him in this momentous occasion was the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan, who also made his debut in the longest format of the game.
Jaiswal, propelled into the Test squad following his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket, shone brightly during the match. The 21-year-old emerged as the standout performer for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2023 IPL, amassing an impressive 625 runs from 14 matches at an average of 48.08 and a staggering strike rate of 163.61. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Dafabet.
Additionally, his first-class record boasts 1845 runs from 15 matches, with a remarkable average of 80.21 and a commendable strike rate of 67.48. Notably, Jaiswal has recorded nine centuries and two half-centuries in this format.
Renowned Australian batter Tom Moody, a two-time Cricket World Cup winner, took to Twitter to express his admiration for Jaiswal. Moody predicted that the young talent would leave an indelible mark in the longest format of the game. In his tweet, Moody wrote, “If the captivating tale of Yashasvi Jaiswal wasn’t enough, his journey in Test cricket has now begun. There’s no doubt that he will make a significant impact in this format. #WIvIND #YashasviJaiswal.”
The first Test of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle commenced with the West Indies winning the toss and opting to bat. Initially, Kraigg Brathwaite and his team displayed a decent start. However, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made an impact after ten overs, dismissing both openers, Brathwaite (20) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12). Shardul Thakur swiftly followed suit, sending Raymon Reifer back to the pavilion. Subsequently, the talented all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja claimed his first wicket of the match by removing Jermaine Blackwood.
As the game progressed, Ashwin’s exceptional performance continued, resulting in three more wickets and his 33rd five-wicket haul in Tests. Jadeja joined the action, striking twice with his remarkable spin bowling skills, while Mohammed Siraj contributed with a crucial wicket. These efforts led India to restrict the West Indies to a subpar first-innings total of 150 runs. Alick Athanaze stood out with a valiant knock of 47, but the other Windies batsmen failed to offer substantial resistance.
India’s opening pair, comprising Rohit Sharma (30*) and the debuting Yashasvi Jaiswal (40*), remained unbeaten at the end of the opening day of the first Test. Displaying impressive composure, they guided the team to a strong position, finishing the day’s play at 80 runs without any loss, trailing the hosts by a mere 70 runs.
The stage is set for an enthralling contest as the Test match unfolds further. Fans eagerly anticipate witnessing the promising talents of Jaiswal and Kishan, who have seized the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage. As the series progresses, all eyes will remain fixed on the young Indian duo, curious to see how they leave their mark in the challenging realm of Test cricket. Get the latest updates from the world of cricket only on Dafabet Sports.
