Virender Sehwag was highly impressed with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s match-winning half-century in Rajasthan Royals’ five-wicket win against the Chennai Super Kings on May 20.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s U19 World Cup captain from two years ago, has been in fine form of late for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022, with scores of 68, 19, 41 and 59 in his recent outings. That was after he made a comeback into the XI, after being dropped with underwhelming returns at the start of the season.
Jaiswal stroked a 44-ball 59 in the Royals’ successful run-chase of 151, which helped them secure a top-two finish. The left-hander struck eight fours and a six in an innings in which he scored 32 off 19 inside the powerplay.
Sehwag, who himself took new-ball attacks away across formats during his playing days, was in all praise for Jaiswal, and even went on to state that he looked better than Jos Buttler and skipper Sanju Samson with his stroke-play.
“Buttler and Samson have scored runs in plenty in the tournament. And when they didn’t, someone else had to step in. That was done by Jaiswal and Ashwin. They stepped in and took their team home. Especially the way Yashasvi played in the powerplay, he looked much better than Buttler and Samson,”
Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Jaiswal was eventually dismissed by young wristspinner Prashant Solanki in the 15th over with his team still 47 away. Ravichandran Ashwin’s unbeaten 23-ball 40 ensured that the 2008 champions got over the line with two balls to spare.
Sehwag wished to have seen Jaiswal bat longer and finish the game – a habit he wants the youngster to develop in future.
“It would have been fun if he had finished the game with Ashwin. A mix of youth and experience would have been a treat to watch. And this is what the youngster needs to learn. Because Sachin had told me once that when it’s your day, just score. Because when you don’t get runs, you starve for it.
“So, my advice to Jaiswal is to keep scoring when you are able to do that. Because you will get out somewhere in the next game but you won’t get runs then.”
Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Having confirmed a No.2 finish in the points table, RR will take on Gujarat Titans in the first Qualifier in Kolkata on Tuesday, May 24.
