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Sachin Tendulkar praised Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul for his or her performances in India’s 2-2 series draw against England. Jaiswal scored 411 runs, Rahul 532.
India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul (AP)
Following India’s series draw against England away from home, Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar praised the opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul for consistently “laying the muse” for giant scores throughout the series.
Jaiswal continued his impressive performance in overseas conditions, excelling on tours to Australia and England. KL Rahul had his most consistent and fulfilling series as a batter, entering into the role of a senior statesman for the team within the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Their contrasting approaches with the bat were effective, helping Team India achieve a well-fought 2-2 draw and marking the start of the ‘Shubman Gill era’.
Speaking in a video posted on his official Reddit account, Sachin commented on the duo: “The way in which each openers batted, they’ve laid a solid foundation all of the series. KL did 500-plus runs, Jaiswal also scored near 500 runs. This had not happened for a very long time. This foundation is critical, we have now been in a position to do it successfully.”
What Did Sachin Tendulkar Say About Yashasvi Jaiswal And KL Rahul?
Sachin lauded Jaiswal for his mindset, knowing exactly when to play aggressively or conservatively. He praised Jaiswal’s first Test century at Leeds on a difficult pitch where the ball moved. He also noted that Jaiswal’s century in the ultimate Test at The Oval showcased “character, maturity, and determination.”
“Jaiswal impressed me due to his mindset. He’s fearless, knows tips on how to speed up, when to be on the non-strikers’ end, and when to play a phase out rigorously. You can’t bat in a single gear. You could use different gears. That is what he did right from the primary Test. He did look uncomfortable at times in the primary Test, but eventually it boils right down to the correct column of the scorecard, and he scored a 100. For me, it was vital. The primary innings of the primary match in a five-Test series may be very critical. He scored a century on a difficult track where the ball it seemed would move and trouble the batters. However the ball didn’t move as much,” he said.
Sachin also highlighted how well Jaiswal guided nightwatchman Akash Deep during their century stand, with Akash contributing a useful fifty at The Oval.
“Whenever you form a foundation, other batters can construct on it. This can be what he did within the second Test along with his knock of 87. He should have been gutted on his dismissal, since it was trying to be an extended innings, and there was a lapse of concentration. That’s how he’s, that’s how his shots should keep going. You can’t play all of the shots right. Within the last Test, when he scored a century, a powerful one on a difficult track to bat on. He showed character, maturity and determination. The way in which he guided Akash Deep, motivated him to attain, it was a treat to observe,” he added.
In five matches, Jaiswal scored 411 runs at a median of 41.10, with two centuries and two fifties. His highest rating was 118, making him the ninth-highest run-getter within the series.
Speaking on KL Rahul, Sachin praised the opener for his solid defence and talent to go away balls effectively.
“I believed KL scored superbly, probably the greatest I actually have seen him bat. His defence, near the body and the best way he was leaving, he looked so organised and on top of things. I saw he was frustrating the bowlers, because he was not playing, and they might wonder where they might bowl him. When the ball was in striking range, he played some magnificent shots. The way in which he batted within the series, I enjoyed that, he looked in that zone. His footwork was precise, organised,” he added.
Throughout the series, KL ended because the third-highest run-getter, with 532 runs in 10 innings at a median of 53.20, including two centuries and two fifties, along with his highest rating being 137. This was also his best-ever Test series with the bat as he crossed the 400-run mark for the primary time.
(With inputs from ANI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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