27-year-old Vishal Jayswal represents Gujarat in domestic cricket, and on Friday (December 26) he was trending on the internet. Why? It was because he denied Virat Kohli a century in his second Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Delhi. In the Elite Group D match played at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, Jayswal stunned Kohli with his spin bowling in the 22nd over of Delhi’s innings and got him stumped out for 77 runs from 61 balls.
Kohli was looking all set to score his fourth century in the sixth 50-over match since November 30, 2025, but Jayswal had other plans. And if Kohli was not enough, then after him he also denied Delhi skipper Rishabh Pant a chance to score a century. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was bowled by him after scoring 70
runs from 79 balls.
Jayswal, who finished the match with figures of 4 for 42 in 10 overs, got a chance to interact with Kohli post the conclusion of the fixture when he asked him for an autograph on the match ball. During the conversation, the batting great praised Jayswal and told him to keep working and his opportunity will come.
“Achha ball daalta hai. Hard work karta reh. Opportunity aayega, wait kar and mehnat kar (You bowl really well. Keep working hard. Your opportunity will come — be patient and keep putting in the effort),” Jayswal told the Times of India when asked what Kohli told him after the match.
According to Jayswal, who has nine wickets to his credit in 13 List A matches played so far, he didn’t make a specific plan against Kohli.
“I didn’t have any specific plan against him. He’s a legend of the game. Just bowling to him is a huge moment, and there’s immense pressure when he’s at the crease. I spoke to him, and he gave me a lot of tips on how to remain calm under pressure, fitness, etc.,” Jayswal said.
“Of course, I’m really happy to have dismissed him. Having a wicket like that next to your name is very special,” he added.
Jayswal, who hails from Nadiad in Gujarat, began his cricket journey at the same academy where Axar Patel also enrolled, and according to him, Axar has played a crucial role in shaping his career.
“Axar bhai has helped me immensely—from my cricket kit to jerseys and bats. I look up to him as an inspiration and mentor,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a spin-bowling all-rounder like him. He teaches me how to be a game-changer — when to attack, how to control the run rate, and how to stay mentally strong. He always tells me, ‘Batting mein dhyaan sirf ball pe rakho, aur bowling mein batsman ke pair aur wickets pe.’ Those tips have helped me a lot,” he added.
