Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal lights up Asian Games with maiden T20I century

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden T20I century for India in the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal once again shined for India to help them advance in the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s cricket event. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a century to carry India to a 200-plus total against Nepal in the quarter-final game played at Zhejiang University Ground, Hangzhou. India defeated Nepal by 23 runs to secure a place in the semi-final and continue their hunt for a historic Gold in the Asian Games. 

Jaiswal's magnificent ton

Left-hand batter Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his maiden T20I century in just 48 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes in his innings. Jaiswal played marvelous strokes during his century knock and added a great opening partnership along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Most of the strokes he played were on the front foot and didn’t allow any bowler to overpower him. Jaiswal’s innings came at a crucial juncture when the Indian middle order was struggling to score runs in middle overs. 

He has also broken the record of the youngest Indian batter to score a T20I century. Yashasvi Jaiswal broke Shubman Gill’s record, Gill smashed his maiden T20I hundred at 23 years and 146 days of age overtaking Suresh Raina (23 years and 156 days). Now, Jaiswal got his maiden T20I ton at the age of just 21 years and 279 days. Yashasvi Jaiswal is strongly pursuing his case for a place in the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to be played in the West Indies and USA next year in June.

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India defeated Nepal

Other than Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian middle order struggled to score against Nepali bowlers. Team India lost three quick wickets when Ruturaj Gaiwkad was perished on 25 runs. Tilak Varma (2) and Jitesh Sharma (5) could not connect properly and had to walk back in just a span of 2 overs. Rinku Singh again came as a saviour for team India with his magnificent cameo. Rinku smashed 37 runs in 15 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes to take India to 202. 

Chasing 203, Nepal never looked settled against the Indian spin bowling attack. Spinners Ravi Bishnoi (3/24) and Sai Kishore (1/25) rattled the batting order and helped India restrict Nepal to 179 runs. Indian pacers were a little off-colour, only Avesh Khan (3/32) had a great game in the quarter-final. India will be playing in the semi-final against the winner of quarter-final 4. Bangladesh will take on Malaysia in quarter-final 4 on Wednesday at Hangzhou.