IND v ENG 2024: “We should take some credit…,” Ben Duckett on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s blistering hundred in Rajkot Test

Jaiswal scored 104 off 133 balls before retiring hurt on Day 3 of the Rajkot Test.

By Salman Anjum - 18 Feb, 2024

Left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat for India on Day 3 of the third Test against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

After taking a substantial first-innings lead of 126 runs, the hosts lost skipper Rohit Sharma for 19 in the second essay. However, Jaiswal put on a show with the bat, smashing a sparkling century to put India in a commanding position.

The southpaw was severe on both the English pacers and spinners as he notched up his three-figure mark in 122 deliveries. It was Jaiswal’s third hundred in the longest format of the game and his second in the ongoing series against England.

Soon after reaching the ton, Jaiswal picked up back spasms, which forced him to retire hurt on 104 off 133 balls. His knock was studded with 9 fours and 5 sixes.

After the day’s play, England batter Ben Duckett hailed Yashasvi Jaiswal, labeling him a "superstar in the making." However, Duckett credited his own team for inspiring opposition batters to adopt an aggressive batting style.

"When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they're playing differently than how other people play Test cricket," Duckett told the media during a press conference in Rajkot.

"We saw it a bit in the summer and it's quite exciting to see other players and other teams are also playing that aggressive style of cricket."

"He looks like a superstar in the making, unfortunately he's in some very good form at the moment. He's due a couple of low ones," he added.

Duckett backed veteran batter Joe Root, who lost his wicket while attempting a reverse-ramp shot off Jasprit Bumrah. Root's dismissal triggered a sort of collapse as England’s first innings folded for 319.

"I'd be interested to know if those people were against it when he was doing it to Pat Cummins and hitting him for six in the summer," Duckett said.

"I've no words really for it. It's the same as me playing a reverse sweep and getting caught at point. Options are practised and that shot has been very successful for him over the past year, so next time it may go over the slips," he further stated.

Ben Duckett was the top scorer for the Three Lions in their first innings with 153 off 151 balls, including 23 fours and two sixes.

But resuming on 133, the left-hander could not add more to his overnight total before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav on Day 3.

"It was one of those days when I feel we have to give credit to India. This morning they were very good and they didn't make it easy to score," Duckett said.

"It felt like their plans were a lot better than maybe last night and unfortunately we just kept on losing wickets at the wrong times," he added.

"With the ball, I didn't think we bowled badly at all and Jaiswal has played another incredible innings there. He looks an amazing player," he remarked.

Coming to the match, the hosts reached 196/2 at the close of play on Day 3, extending their lead to 322 runs. Shubman Gill (65*) and Kuldeep Yadav (3*) were unbeaten in the middle for India at stumps.

(With PTI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 18 Feb, 2024

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