08 May,2024 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Brian Lara (Pic: File Pic)
Yashasvi Jaiswal has just played 17 matches in Test cricket, but West Indies great Brian Lara feels that if there's anyone who can come close to his achievements, including his unbeaten 400-run knock, it is none other than 22-year-old Jaiswal.
Lara's high praise for Jaiswal doesn't come out of the blue. The left two-handers share a special bond, having spent a lot of time over the past year following their "4 am conversation" during the IPL when the West Indian was coaching Sunrisers Hyderabad and the young opener was in the Rajasthan Royals' camp.
Since IPL 2023, Jaiswal's career in international cricket has taken a huge elevation. He is now becoming an integral part of India's Test and T20I squad. He averages around 70 in the longest format of the game. In the recent test series between India and England, Jaiswal smashed two double hundreds. The one thing that impressed Lara is the ability of the Indian left-hander to change gears according to the game's circumstances.
"If I feel my records are threatened, Jaiswal has got a very good chance to do so. He has got capabilities, couple of double hundreds already. He is that good," Lara told PTI editors at its headquarters in an interaction arranged by Star Sports where he is a commentator and expert for the ongoing IPL.
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Brian Lara is known as one of the all-time greats of cricket. In Tests, he has scored close to 12,000 runs and in One-Day Internationals, Lara has scored over 10,000 runs. His record of 400 not out against England is still unbeaten.
Lara fondly looked back at his first meeting with Jaiswal when asked about a light moment they shared on the sidelines of the Rajasthan Royals and SRH clash in the ongoing season.
"The only thing I can reveal about that (conversation) is I think he is an outstanding young cricketer. what I like about him is that he is very humble and willing to work. The first time I met him (last year), I immediately found myself attached to him.
"After the game (SRH vs Royals), I went to the hotel with a friend of mine from the Caribbean who knew Jos Buttler. It was midnight and Jaiswal found me. I promise you I left the hotel at 4 in the morning.
"He just wanted to hear more and more and more. That is one of his amazing traits. His ability to want to learn as much as possible. Our conversations are about trying to make him a better cricketer. I am available for anyone that has my number. I am happy to talk cricket." Being a left-hander himself, it is natural for Lara to be biased towards that tribe. Another southpaw he has great admiration for is Abhishek Sharma with whom he spent time at SRH.
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"Again he is someone who I met while I was batting coach of SRH. I spent two years there. I am allowed to a bit biased when I see a left-hander, I just love a left-hander. Myself and Abhishek have developed a very good relationship, these youngsters are very humble. they want to learn.
"What I like about these two, they want to get to great heights. I have great admiration for both."
Lara recoks that records are in danger by the batsmen who score quick runs and Jaiswal has that ability with his hunger to bat long.
His 400 not out has not been surpassed in 20 years and Lara hopes he is still around to see the day when his record is broken. "I think now, the pace that these guys are batting at. And you look at the guys over the years who have challenged that 300-mark and plus. It's Chris Gayle. It's Virender Sehwag. It's Sanath Jayasuriya, It's Inzamam-ul-Haq. It's Matthew Hayden. These are guys who destroy bowling attacks.
"...you would not say that for a Rahul Dravid or Steve Smith in the present case. But a player who likes to score quickly, will have an opportunity. You know, Jaiswal, I mean, I was in Australia when David Warner came close and you know, he's an aggressive player.
"So I believe yes, I think it will be broken at some point in time. I think it has to be that person's destiny. Everything has to fall into place. And... I look forward to that time. I hope it happens, while I'm still around," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
