TimesofIndia.com in London: The leap of faith, punch in the air and the helmet was off in a flash. The gloves were next as he took a few steps back after placing his gear on the ground and started blowing multiple kisses towards the section which houses the dressing room and multiple hospitality boxes. At level one were his teammates, the second floor had his parents and enjoying the game from the hospitality suite was former India Test captain Rohit Sharma. The kisses were followed by a gesture where he made a heart with the fingers of his two hands.He thoroughly enjoyed reaching three figures and would have certainly meant the world to him because it came in front of his “Rohit bhai”. It wasn’t a typical Jaiswal hundred where he exercised control and dominated the opposition but looked very determined to get a big one in what had been a quiet series by his lofty standards, and against an opposition he has had a lot of success against.A hundred in the first innings of the series was followed by just two fifties in the next seven, and the pressure of his own expectations would have certainly increased after an early departure in the first innings of fifth Test. The left-hander was the leading run-getter – 391 runs in five Tests – for the side in Australia and had a bumper home season when England toured India last season where he amassed 712 runs in the five Tests.The second essay at The Oval presented him with an opportunity to end the series on a high and the stakes couldn’t have been bigger. With the match reduced to almost a single-inning shootout, the visitors needed a solid start and all eyes were on the pair of KL Rahul and Jaiswal. The former got out early, next man in Sai Sudharsan too didn’t last long but Jaiswal carried on. First to see off the nervy period with nightwatchman Akash Deep towards the end of Day 2, and then to pile on the misery on the hosts, a bowler short, in the morning session of Day 3.
The 23-year-old was dropped twice, played and missed plenty of times but stayed at it. The rub of the green did go his way and even though he never looked in control, he rode his luck and operated with a mature head to give India a solid foundation. But for Jaiswal, more than the innings or the situation in which it came, what would have mattered more is the fact that it allowed him to get a sense of reassurance. Runs at home, in Australia and now England.
Not many have managed to do what the southpaw has so early in his career and his hunger for runs, and big runs, doesn’t seem to die down any soon. Whether it’s the eve of the match or even morning of his inning, he doesn’t waste an opportunity to knock a fair few in the nets and likes to be in the zone. Sticking to the “process” continues to be the key word and his approach is not at all complicated.
Very chatty with his partners, aware of the fields and itching to get on top of the bowlers, continue to be the ingredients which allow him to serve that delicious dish on most occasions he goes out to bat for the country. Jaiswal’s sixth hundred in the format, and fourth against England, not only allowed India to set a stiff target for the opposition but reaffirmed why he continues to be an asset for the side at top of the order in the format.Ever since he occupied the position, and later combined with Rahul, India’s opening woes have become a thing of the past and that’s likely to be the case in the home season which follows. For Jaiswal, however, home or away has hardly mattered as he continues to deal in tons, and the heart celebration could well become the coolest celebration of town!
