‘Work hard and be focused, things will fall into place’ – Dilip Vengsarkar recalls conversation with young centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal

Dilip Vengsarkar and Yashasvi Jaiswal. (Photo Source: SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images and RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Former India cricketer and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar recalled his pearls of advice for opener Yashasvi Jaiswal prior to the West Indies tour. Notably, Jaiswal relished a brilliant start to his red-ball career as he notched up a well-built century (171 off 387 balls) in India’s dominating win over the Windies at the Windsor Park in Dominica.

The flamboyant southpaw, who once practiced at the Vengsarkar Cricket Academy, has made massive strides to earn his Test cap. His stellar knock of 171 runs against the Windies featured 16 boundaries and a solitary maximum and, in the process, he was adjudged player of the match.

On that note, former cricketer Vengsarkar recalled his words of wisdom for the young sensation prior to the tour of West Indies. Vengsarkar highlighted the importance of consistency, grabbing the opportunity with both hands and making the most of it.

“I reminded him about the significance of the opportunity and told him that he shouldn’t let it go but grab it with both hands. I also told him to be consistent since at this level consistency matters. Single-minded devotion has to be there… Work hard and be focused and then things will fall into place,” Vengsarkar told the Telegraph.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s application was exemplary: Dilip Vengsarkar

The former cricketer lavished massive praise on Jaiswal’s approach and his determination to score big. He further outlined that the southpaw owned his responsibility and played his shots immaculately.

“I’m happy that he has managed to establish himself at the first given opportunity. His application was exemplary and the discipline and the determination Jaiswal showed to perform will help him a long way in his career. The most important thing during his innings was that he never let go of an opportunity to score and there weren’t any loose shots. Such has been his focus on debut that you have got to applaud,” he added.

With a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, team India will be gunning to extend their record before turning their attention towards the ODI series. Following the conclusion of the two Tests, India and West Indies will lock horns in three ODIs followed by five T20Is.