IND v ENG 2024: “You have a natural leg spin,” Kumble urges Jaiswal not to give up on his bowling abilities

Yashasvi Jaiswal has made the mockery of England's bowling attack in the ongoing Test series.

By Salman Anjum - 19 Feb, 2024

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his rich vein of form in the ongoing Test series against England as he slammed a breathtaking double hundred in the third match at Rajkot to script India’s thumping 434-run victory.

Jaiswal came into this match on the back of a match-winning double ton (209) in the second Test at Vizag. High on confidence, the southpaw went on to score 214* off 236 balls with 14 fours and 12 sixes.

In this series so far, Jaiswal has amassed 545 runs from six innings at an average of 109 and a strike rate of 81.10, including two three-figure scores and a half-century.

Impressed with his performance, legendary India spinner Anil Kumble ended up making a special request to Yashasvi Jaiswal for the remaining two Tests against England.

Speaking on JioCinema, Kumble acknowledged Jaiswal’s natural talent of bowling leg-spin deliveries and urged him not to give up on his bowling abilities.

"Well done on your batting. But one thing that I have seen which I want you to continue as well is that you have a natural leg spin. Yes, and action. So don't give up on that. Because you never know when that will come in handy. know you've had a back spasm, but when you're working so much on it. Go tell the skipper to give a few overs," Kumble said after India’s Rajkot Test win on Sunday (February 18).

In reply, the left-hander revealed that India skipper Rohit Sharma had asked him to be ready to bowl during the third Test.

"I'm always going and bowling, bowling and bowling. He (Rohit) told me to be ready, and I said yes I am ready," Jaiswal stated.

While Yashasvi Jaiswal is yet to bowl in Test cricket, he has bowled 8 overs in his first-class career, albeit without a wicket. However, he has seven wickets to his name in List A cricket.

With the Rajkot Test win, India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The penultimate Test match is scheduled to be held in Ranchi from February 23.

By Salman Anjum - 19 Feb, 2024

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