Yashasvi Jaiswal blazing double centuries in two consecutive India vs England Tests has sparked debate about origins of his style of play, with some attributing it to England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. However, West Indies legend Chris Gayle has a different take, hailing Jaiswal’s talent and comparing him to Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Stellar Performance:
The 22-year-old opener smashed 214 not out, including a record-equalling 12 sixes, powering India to a dominant win and a 2-1 series lead. His attacking style drew comparisons to England’s recent exploits under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
Duckett’s Suggestion, Chris Gayle Rebuttal:
England’s Ben Duckett jokingly suggested Jaiswal learned from them, but Gayle strongly disagreed as quoted by AFP. He emphasized that attacking cricket has been around for years, citing legends like Viv Richards and Brian Lara as examples. He credits Jaiswal’s coach and mentor Jwala Singh for shaping his style, calling him “phenomenal” and urging everyone to let him “continue to flow.”
Comparison to Shivnarine Chanderpaul:
Gayle sees shades of the “attacking version” of his former teammate Shivnarine Chanderpaul in Jaiswal. He acknowledges the pressure Jaiswal will face but warns against stifling his natural attacking instincts.
Key Takeaways:
- Jaiswal’s talent is undeniable, regardless of where his style originated.
- Gayle emphasizes the long history of attacking cricket, predating England’s current approach.
- He encourages nurturing Jaiswal’s unique talent and avoiding unnecessary technical changes.
