Chappell says Jaiswal will inherit excellence of Tendulkar, Kohli

Yashasvi Jaiswal looks well-placed to carry forward the glorious legacy of batting excellence established by the likes of Sachin Tendukar and Virat Kohli, said former India coach Greg Chappell, waxing eloquent on the country’s cricketing infrastructure and planning.

Writing in his column, Chappell said he was highly impressed with Jaiswal, who smashed a 161-run knock in the opening Test against Australia in Perth to be one among the architects of the visitors’ 295-run win.

“The young opener is fearless and appears poised to inherit the mantle of Indian batting excellence, following the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar,” Chappell wrote.

Chappell, who worked as India head coach between 2005 and 2007, also spoke about the wide gulf in planning between the Indian and Australian cricketing establishment when it came to grooming youngsters for traditional formats.

“Jaiswal’s journey encapsulates why India’s planning and infrastructure give them a clear edge in world cricket,” Chappell wrote.

“Considering the staggering odds of breaking into the Indian XI, his determination is remarkable. There are so many players in India who are good enough to play Test cricket, but some can’t even get a game for their state team,” said the former skipper, who had a fair idea about India’s domestic structure.

‘Can tackle any situation’

Brought up in penury, Jaiswal said he now uses the experience gained from those difficult days as ammunition to conquer the battles on and off the field.

Having moved to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi at age 11 to train at Azad Maidan, Jaiswal lived in tents with the groundsmen and sold paani puri at night to earn money for food.

“It’s something (his backstory) that always gives me confidence that I can come out of any situation. I always fight, I always look to fight, I want to be in the battle, I want to enjoy the battle and I want to win the battle,” Jaiswal said.

“So this is what it gives me and I am really blessed that I have this life, that can give me a lot of confidence, learnings about myself, how I can believe in me, and how I can go through with different emotions, different situation in my life. So I think it’s just incredible and I really want to thank god for where I am and what I am doing, and I am doing what I love, so I am just happy at the moment. I want to enjoy this with every ball.”

Gambhir flies back home

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has flown back home with his family due to a “personal emergency” and is unlikely to rejoin the squad before the second Test against Australia beginning December 6 in Adelaide.

The Delhi-based Gambhir will skip India’s two-day pink ball warm-up game against Prime Minister’s in Canberra starting November 30.

Australia to retain squad

Australia will not make any change to the squad that lost the opening Test but there are some fitness concerns over all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s ability to bowl, coach and selector Andrew McDonald has said.

McDonald revealed that the team would land in Adelaide for the day-night second Test beginning December 6 earlier than planned to allow an additional net session.