India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal described his Test debut century in England as the beginning of a “new era” for Indian cricket, attributing the milestone to the team environment and guidance under Gautam Gambhir.
Jaiswal reached three figures on Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley, where captain Shubman Gill also scored a century. The pair’s twin milestones were seen as a sign of transition in the Indian Test setup.
“We are trying to give our best, work hard and perform for the country. The atmosphere in the team has been fantastic. We’ve been given the freedom to play our natural game and that has really helped,” Jaiswal said after the match.
The left-handed opener credited his India A stint in Bengaluru for his readiness. “We had some intense sessions and a lot of technical discussions. Gautam sir was very supportive. I enjoyed preparing hard and that gave me confidence coming here,” he said.
Despite suffering from cramps during the innings, Jaiswal adapted to conditions and challenges. “There were phases where I had to slow down, assess field placements, and play accordingly. It was important to bat for the team’s needs,” he added.
Reflecting on having centuries in both Australia and England, he said, “Wherever I go and whenever I play, my goal is always to make big scores. A debut hundred in England, especially when our captain Shubman also scored a hundred — that makes it even more memorable.”
He also underlined the value of his partnership with Gill, citing communication and intent. “We wanted to play session by session, punish loose balls and keep the scoreboard moving.”
Responding to scepticism about the Indian Premier League as preparation for Test cricket, Jaiswal said focus and mindset mattered more than format. “I just tried to give myself the best chance. The preparation mattered more than the format.”
On being part of a youthful Test side, Jaiswal said the dressing room had been supportive. “We’ve been told to enjoy the game and play freely. That confidence from the dressing room helps a lot.”
Looking ahead, he said he hoped to build on the performance. “It’s been a great start, and I hope we can continue this and take it as far as we can.”
