That quickfire 77 by Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t come out of nowhere – thinking ahead shaped every shot he played. A revised total followed heavy rain, yet RR stayed calm under pressure. Instead of guessing, he picked specific bowlers early when the field restrictions applied. Scoring off boundaries came naturally once rhythm settled in. Ten fours plus those four towering hits showed precision more than luck. Team chats beforehand laid down what needed doing if weather interfered. The innings felt sharp because preparation started much earlier. Shortened game, same intensity – he trusted the process built over days. Even with less time, clarity made the difference between reacting and controlling play. Winning Player of the Match meant others noticed how intent matched execution.
“I had something in my mind because it was only a three-over power play, so I was thinking who I could take on. DC (Deepak Chahar) bhai was bowling, so I thought I could take him on. Then Bumrah bhai was going to bowl, so I was thinking Vaibhav can take him and then I can take on someone else,” he said.
Facing today’s game, Jaiswal said juggling formats isn’t easy – yet getting ready makes all the difference. Though different styles pull in opposite directions, he finds value in staying ahead through work done before match day.
“It is not easy playing all formats. Trying my best every single time. Making sure I develop different shots and understand what to play on which wicket. It helps when I prepare well,” he added.
The young opener emphasised situational awareness and adaptability as key to his approach. “I am just trying to understand the situation and think about what I can do for the team. If I know what is required and which shots are needed, I will go for it,” he noted.
Fueled by shared moments between overs, Jaiswal highlighted how talking with opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lifts spirits during play. While results matter, it’s those exchanges that spark something real mid-game.
” The way he has been playing is tremendous. I also get motivated looking at him. We discuss how we can go about things, and I keep giving him positive messages to play freely. He is amazing, understands the game well, and is capable of doing things on his own,” he said.
Right now, RR sits first in the standings after winning all three matches, playing sharp cricket led by captain Riyan Parag. Beginning strong with a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, MI then stumbled – losing to both Delhi Capitals and RR – and now rests near the bottom, placed seventh overall.
First to face the ball, RR reached 150 for 3 in eleven overs. Jaiswal slammed 77 off just 32 deliveries – ten boundaries, four maximums lighting up his knock. Alongside him, Suryavanshi blasted 39 from 14 balls, one four, five towering sixes tearing through MI’s attack. Chasing that total, MI stumbled early, never settling into rhythm. Wickets fell at odd intervals, disrupting any momentum before it began. Burger struck twice for 21, keeping things tight. Sandeep followed with two for 25, sharp and precise. Bishnoi added two more for 26, maintaining pressure till the end.
