Has a higher ceiling than Shubman

Indian youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal finally opened his delivery in the 50-over format with a stunning maiden century in the third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on December 6. While he has an excellent Test and T20I record, the 23-year-old has found continued challenge in ODIs, where he averages just 18.33 in three matches.

However, with the series hanging in the balance at 1-1 and India chasing 271, Jaiswal showed his best in the deciding ODI. The southpaw overcame a tough start to complete his maiden ODI ton from 111 deliveries.

He eventually finished unbeaten with 116 off 121 balls, helping India to a comfortable nine-wicket win. Jaiswal also became only the sixth Indian batsman with a century in all three formats of international cricket.

Fans on X praised Yashasvi Jaiswal for his sensational maiden ODI century with the following reactions:

Fans continued to show their appreciation for Jaiswal, with one saying:

“Jaiswal has a higher ceiling than Shubman.”

“To say that again, if Jaiswal gets the same support and opportunities as Gill, he will probably get better stats in all formats,” a fan said.

“JAIZ-BALL has finally done it. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI century against South Africa in Vizag in the deciding match of the series. He stood tall against all odds and got his moment from the field,” one fan posted.

“I have to control my thoughts about the shots I can play” – Yashavi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal admitted that the challenges of striking the right balance in terms of batting tempo got the better of him in the first two ODIs. After scoring just 40 runs in the first two matches, the pressure was on Jaiswal to deliver the goods, given the competition for places in the Indian set-up.

However, thanks to his heroics tonight, the youngster now has nine international centuries, including two in white-ball formats.

Speaking about his player of the match during the post-match presentation, Jaiswal said (via Cricbuzz):

“I really enjoyed it and I’m really grateful and blessed. We talked a lot about our ability to bowl and set the tempo. In the last two games I couldn’t convert and I was thinking about how to balance the innings. Sometimes I would think about attacking, then playing singles. I have to control my thoughts about what shots I can play. If required, I need to go after the bowlers.”

The nine-wicket win ensured that India did not lose the ODI series, following their 0-2 setback to the Proteas in the Tests. The two teams will compete in a five-match T20I series, starting with Cuttack on December 9.