Yashasvi Jaiswal Century against Australia | Yashasvi Jaiswal 161 Highlights

Yashasvi Jaiswal Shines with a Sensational 161 in Perth: A Century to Remember

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian batting sensation, delivered a masterclass in Test cricket on Day 3 of the Perth Test against Australia. Coming off a duck in the first innings, the 22-year-old showed remarkable grit and flair to score a stunning 161, marking his maiden Test century in Australia and further cementing his reputation as one of the brightest stars in world cricket.

A Historic Knock

Jaiswal's innings of 161 runs off 297 balls, adorned with 15 fours and 3 sixes, was a blend of resilience and aggression. It helped India take a commanding position in the match, with a lead of 433 runs by stumps on Day 3. The knock also etched Jaiswal's name in the record books:

• Most Runs After 15 Tests: Jaiswal's career tally now stands at 1,568 runs, the fourth-highest in Test history after 15 matches. He surpassed the previous Indian record of 1,420 runs held by the legendary Vijay Hazare.
• Most 150+ Scores Before Turning 23: With four scores of 150 or more, Jaiswal is now tied with legends like Javed Miandad, Graeme Smith, and Sachin Tendulkar, trailing only Don Bradman (8).

A Partnership to Remember

Jaiswal, alongside KL Rahul, forged a mammoth 201-run opening stand, becoming the first Indian pair in 37 years to cross the 200-run mark as openers in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country. Their partnership lasted 63 overs, a feat achieved only once before by an Indian pair in the 21st century in such conditions (Jaffer-Karthik in Cape Town, 2007).

Notably, this was also one of the rare occasions where an Indian opening pair scored 200+ in Australia, joining an elite list of visiting openers such as Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes in 1912 and Michael Atherton and Graham Gooch in 1991.

Composure Under Pressure

After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, Jaiswal showed immense maturity to rebuild and dominate in the second innings. His innings began cautiously as he weathered Australia's fiery pace attack led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Gradually, he opened up, playing exquisite cover drives and lofted shots, even pulling Hazlewood for a towering six to bring up his century.

Jaiswal’s magnificent knock ended on 161 when he slashed at a wide delivery from Mitchell Marsh, only to find the safe hands of Steven Smith at backward point. As he walked back, the Perth crowd gave him a standing ovation, a testament to the respect he earned for his stellar performance.

Joining an Elite Club

Jaiswal became only the third Indian batter to score a century on his maiden Test appearance in Australia, joining ML Jaisimha (1967) and Sunil Gavaskar (1977). Interestingly, all three centuries came in India’s second innings of their respective matches.

India finished the day at 387/5, with Virat Kohli (53*) and Washington Sundar (20*) at the crease. With two days remaining, India holds a commanding lead, and Jaiswal’s knock has set the stage for a potential victory. His performance not only strengthens India’s position in this Test but also underlines his value as a cornerstone of the team’s batting lineup for years to come.

As Yashasvi Jaiswal walked off the field, the applause was not just for his score but for the promise he represents—a young cricketer thriving on the grandest stage against the best in the world. His innings in Perth is a reminder of why he is considered the future of Indian cricket.