Indian prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal brings up century with 'audacious' ramp shot against struggling Aussies
Springboarding a Josh Hazlewood short ball for six with a ramp shot to bring up his first Test century on Australian soil, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal reaffirmed his status as a batting prodigy as India wore down the hosts on day three of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.
The baby-faced and chirpy Jaiswal — on day two he told Mitchell Starc he wasn't bowling fast enough — went to bed on Saturday night 10 runs short of a century, but had no trouble with the nervous nineties upon his return to the crease on Sunday.
The elegant left-hander chalked up the fourth Test century of his burgeoning career and withstood the Australian attack for the entire first session of day three.
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He brought up his century in 205 balls then progressed to 150 shortly after lunch.
His superlative knock came to an end on 161, when he cut a Mitch Marsh delivery and was caught by Steve Smith at backward point.
India was 3-313 and leading by 359 as he walked off to a tremendous reception.
Jaiswal and KL Rahul (77) had combined for 201 to produce the highest partnership by an Indian opening pair against Australia on Australian soil.
India is looking to amass an insurmountable fourth-innings target for the Australians, who have lost their past two Test series against India at home and have begun this series in peril.
Yashasvi Jaiswal of India playing a ramp shot to bring up his century and (inset) celebrating reaching triple figures. Getty
Jaiswal, a 22-year-old from Suriyawan in India's north-east, arrived on Australian shores with an average of 56.28 from 14 Tests.
When he ramped Hazlewood for six to reach triple figures in Perth — a choice of shot described as "audacious" by Adam Gilchrist on the Fox Cricket broadcast — he became the fourth-youngest Indian to score a Test century in Australia.
The only Indians who've scored a Test ton in Australia at a younger age are Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 256 days), Rishabh Pant (21 years, 92 days) and Dattu Phadkar (22 years, 46 days).
Jaiswal will celebrate his 23rd birthday on day three of the Boxing Day Test.
He smiled with delight and thrust his arms above his head after notching his century, soaking up a resounding reception from the Perth crowd.
Pat Cummins and his team are baking in temperatures of 36 degrees as they contemplate how they might be able to muster another crucial breakthrough.
