With limited opportunities coming his way in the ODI format, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal said his focus was on making his starts count as he smashed a fine unbeaten century to guide India to a nine-wicket win in the third match against Afghanistan here on Saturday.
The 24-year-old, who was brought into the squad for the three-match ODI series as a replacement for an injured Virat Kohli, hammered an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls as India overhauled a 219-run target in just 28.4 overs.
“I really enjoyed. Initially, I got some runs in powerplay, so I just wanted to keep going and play till the end,” he said after the match.
“I just focus on my process, what is in my control and try to work as hard as I can. And of course, there is always support from the support staff,
and they have been amazing to me. The communication is unreal. So I know what’s going on.”
“I’ve been lucky, so I’m just trying to convert if I get the start. I have seen in sports and in cricket, especially, that when it is your day, make it count. So I try to do that.”
Jaiswal said he has learned the importance of converting starts into substantial scores.
“A lot of experience I had recently, where I was trying, but things were not going my way. I was very determined today that I just need to keep my focus in and just keep trying to rotate the strikes. And if I get in, so I’ll just make it count.”
The young batter also acknowledged the role of former captain Rohit Sharma.
“Of course, Rohit Bhaiya is always helpful. And I always ask him a lot of questions and try to implement them in the game itself.
“Today as well, when I was getting dot balls, I was asking what I should do then. He was telling me to try to rotate the strike, and the intent should be there. So I was keeping my intent and rotating the strike. So that really helped me.
“And yeah, I always enjoy being with him, going and playing under him. Everything is like, it’s just amazing.”
