“A lot of people had different opinions, some felt his aggressive game wasn’t suited to red-ball cricket” – Salil Ankola on Yashasvi Jaiswal

Former Indian pacer and national selector Salil Ankola has revealed that some people thought Yashasvi Jaiswal might not find success in the red-ball format given his aggressive game. Though Jaiswal is still young in his promising Test career, he has shown the skills to go a long way in his career.

Jaiswal was on song throughout the five-match Test series against England earlier in the year. The southpaw scored 712 runs in five matches at an outstanding average of 89 and an impressive strike rate of 79.91. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Series as India won the series by 4-1.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal top-scored in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh with 189 runs at an average of 47.25 and a strike rate of 81.82. The left-hander also returned with twin fifties (72 and 51) in the second Test at Kanpur and ergo was awarded Player of the Match.

“As a selector, you go by your instincts too. He has the attitude, flair, and guts, that street-smartness you want in a cricketer. I felt Jaiswal had that. However, his selection (for the Mumbai Ranji team that year) was against all odds. A lot of people had different opinions- some felt his (aggressive) game wasn’t suited to red-ball cricket. But I trusted my instincts,” Ankola said in an interview with the Times of India.

“I felt that the game had become faster, and this boy would do well in all formats. Luckily, a couple of other selectors backed me on this, and Jaiswal proved us right,” he added.

Ankola further showered praise on Jaiswal, calling the youngster a once-in-a-generation player. Jaiswal has scored 1217 runs in 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 64.05.

“I knew this guy was special, and he proved it. When you watch a batsman, the first thing you notice is his range of shots, and he has that. He’s got great timing and power-a rare combination. His ‘flow’ is tremendous, as is his bat speed and swing. That’s what struck me about him. Some players are technically correct, while some are clean hitters-he’s both. He’s a once-in-a-generation player,” Ankola said in the same interaction.

Jaiswal will be next seen in action in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 16.