- June 22, 2025
If you love good, old-fashioned Test cricket with a bit of exuberance, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century at Headingley was the real deal. On Day 1 of the first Test between India and England in Leeds, the 22-year-old opener produced a knock that was part class, part character, and part intent as he made the most of the difficult conditions. Not bad for Jaiswal’s first innings in England, and a fine way to make an impression—101 off 159 balls with an unassailable message to the vultures circling.
Dinesh Karthik: “He made it look very comfortable”
After he was to quickly become one of the most astute commentators in modern times, Dinesh Karthik could not help but marvel at Jaiswal’s maturity. Making your debut and opening in England, particularly at a venue like Headingley, can be a baptism of fire; however, according to DK, Jaiswal seemed to be anything but out of his depth.
“He applied himself so well,” said Karthik on Cricbuzz. “Walking into a Test match in England for the first time is no walk in the park. But he showed he belonged. You could see he wanted that hundred so bad—and you could tell when he was celebrating.”
Sunil Gavaskar: “He might just score 800 this series”
Whenever Sunny G speaks, it is generally prudent to listen. The original Little Master was generous in his remarks and even provided a monster series total prediction for Jaiswal. “He scored more than 700 runs the last time these two teams played in India,” Gavaskar noted. “Now that he has begun with a hundred in England, do not be surprised if he goes past 800.”
Big statements. But Gavaskar’s reasoning was not just hype. He brought up Jaiswal’s century production in various the West Indies, Australia, and now England, before the age of 22. The only blemish? South Africa. And even that, he argued, was due more to the pitch than the player.
Sanjay Manjrekar: “He’s Just Picking Up Where He Left Off”
Sanjay Manjrekar, who has always had a nose for cricketing matters, wasn’t surprised one bit. If he were surprised any more than he is, he might have had this prediction. Jaiswal was India’s standout batter in Australia, showcasing solid defensive technique against Mitchell Starc and others. His hundred was simply the next step in his impressive progression. Manjrekar said on JioHotstar.
Irfan Pathan: “The Intent Was Loud and Clear from Ball One”
Irfan Pathan was enamored with the body language. Jaiswal’s intent was clear from the very first ball – it was a solid forward defense against Chris Woakes, which said: “I’m ready.” “His intent, his approach with the deliveries outside the off-stump, the way he dealt with the balls on the up and ‘punished’ the loosers – it was all class,” mentioned Irfan on Sony Sports.
He also praised the balance Jaiswal displayed in mixing caution with aggression, while remaining in complete control. And yes, the celebration? That was for something much deeper – it wasn’t just a hundred, it was a declaration.
Murali Karthik: “He was India’s performer of the day”
Murali Karthik, who is always analytical, focused on how Jaiswal went through a tough time early on at the crease. The difficult phase was when Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse bowled to Jaiswal in the morning session, but Karthik said that Jaiswal had done outstandingly well.
“It is not easy for an opener to bat on Day 1 in England,” he said on Cricbuzz. “But the amount of commitment he showed in his shot making and the level of concentration he maintained was phenomenal.” So, the question now is – can Jaiswal back it up for four more Tests? Or better yet, are we now witnessing the birth of India’s next all-condition batting superstar?
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