Yashasvi Jaiswal scores big century for India A ahead of Test series

Match Knock

India opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 154 runs against New Zealand A on Tuesday. The knock helped him break out of a long scoring slump in the red-ball format. Resuming his innings from an overnight score of 20, Jaiswal reached his century in just 119 deliveries by hitting a six over mid-wicket. He then took another 25 balls to reach 150. His innings included 15 fours and five sixes.

Partnership and Records

Jaiswal built a strong third-wicket partnership with Yash Rathod. This helped India A recover after losing Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal on back-to-back deliveries. Play on Tuesday had started 100 minutes late due to bad weather. By Tea, India A had reached 237 runs in the post-Lunch session and led the hosts by 191 runs. During this match, Jaiswal also crossed 5000 total runs in the First-Class format. His batting average remains above 53 after 101 innings.

Recent Form

This heavy scoring comes as a relief after a poor run of form. Jaiswal had not scored a half-century in red-ball cricket since August. In the previous game against New Zealand A, he scored 17 and 5. He also got out for a duck playing for Mumbai against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy, and recorded four ducks across nine successive innings since the Sri Lanka tour. He was recently part of India's ODI squad against the West Indies but did not play any matches, and was dropped from the ODI team to face New Zealand.

Context

India is preparing for an upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Strong performances in unofficial Test matches help players regain their rhythm and secure their spots in the main national squad before major international series.