Yashasvi Jaiswal understood that he can score big by taking command: Parthiv Patel

Kolkata: Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was mesmerized by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten 98 off 47 balls and heaped praise on him. Chasing 150, Jaiswal started like a speedy Ferrari as he smashed 50 off just 13 balls, including 26 off Nitish Rana’s opening over. In the process, Jaiswal reached the fastest fifty of the IPL with the help of seven fours and three sixes. Earlier in the tournament, KL Rahul scored a half-century in 14 balls in 2018 and Pat Cummins in 2022.

GeoCinema quoted Patel as saying, ‘He backed up his game plan really well. He saw Nitish Rana bowl the first over and understood that if he took charge, he could make a big score, and he did just that by hitting the first ball for a six. It reflects the thought process of the younger generation. He is not afraid of anything. Jaiswal was shining in his strokeplay. He struck an unbeaten 98 with 13 fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 208.51 with a combination of bravery and fearlessness, sharing an unbroken 121-run partnership for the second wicket with captain Sanju Samson to guide Rajasthan to victory. Rajasthan has now reached the third position in the points table.

Patel said, ‘The way Yashasvi batted tonight. You talk about the likes of Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, the ruthless hitter we talk about. The batting here was spot on with proper timing and proper cricketing shots. At no point did it feel like he was forcing anything. He was just timing it well. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal became the highest wicket-taker in IPL history with a brilliant spell of 4-25 and former South African skipper Graeme Smith lauded him for putting Kolkata on the backfoot.

“KKR knew they needed 180 in the evening. The fielding was brilliant and the effort excellent, some great catches. Yuji Chahal came in at a time when he needed to accelerate and controlled the final overs of the innings. “He is able to bounce the ball, and is just a step ahead of all batsmen in tactically. He has the ability to bowl wide and then he can bowl the slider. Smith praised Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson, who remained unbeaten on 48 off 29 balls, as the team reached the floor with 41 balls to spare. ”He has such natural ability. He is just a natural timer.

“When you watch these guys, it looks so easy and effortless to take the ball over the boundary. He is a talented cricketer. Sometimes I want to shake Sanju Samson and get more of him. He’s another talent that you just feel like you should just take to the next level.