In one of the most defining moments of India’s commanding opening day against England in the 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a gritty century at Leeds. While fans celebrated his brilliant 101, what came after the match caught everyone’s attention—a revealing post-match conversation between Jaiswal and his long-time teammate Dhruv Jurel.
The chat, shared by the BCCI, offered cricket fans a glimpse into Jaiswal’s intense mindset and preparation style, including his unusual request for “match-like pressure in net sessions”—a reflection of his mental steel and hunger for performance.
India’s Dominant Start in the 1st Test
Before we dive into Jaiswal’s mindset, here’s a quick recap of Day 1:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 101 (159 balls, 16 fours, 1 six)
- Shubman Gill: 127* (captain’s knock on debut as skipper)
- Rishabh Pant: 65* (aggressive, composed innings)
India closed Day 1 at 359/3, completely dominating the English bowling lineup on a pitch that offered little assistance to seamers. Despite losing the toss, India capitalized on a flat wicket with their young batting core rising to the occasion.
The Viral Post-Match Chat: Behind Jaiswal’s Hundred
In the post-day interview shared by the BCCI, Dhruv Jurel brought up a key moment from their past during an India A tour:
“When we were playing for India A, you told me you just have to score runs in England no matter what,” Jurel recalled.
This comment revealed how deeply ingrained Jaiswal’s determination was to succeed in English conditions—even long before stepping onto the field at Leeds.
Why Jaiswal Demanded “Match-Like Pressure” in Nets
According to Jurel, Jaiswal didn’t want regular practice sessions. He wanted realistic, high-pressure net sessions that mimicked match intensity.
Jaiswal confirmed:
“Even when the ball was moving a lot, I wanted the same challenge in the nets… that stubbornness makes the difference.”
This mindset isn’t common. Most players use net sessions to work on technique or loosen up. Jaiswal, however, insisted on facing bowlers like Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah in full rhythm to simulate real-game adversity.
This approach enabled him to:
- Improve shot selection under pressure
- Build temperament for difficult sessions
- Boost confidence to survive quality bowling attacks
Jaiswal’s Calm Mindset Off the Field
When Jurel asked what Jaiswal is like off the field, he smiled and said:
“I don’t do much. When I need to be serious, I stay serious. I focus on my preparation and try to keep my mind calm. That really helps me.”
This short quote sums up a modern Test cricketer’s ideal balance: aggression on the field, composure off it.
A Rare Feat: Test Centuries in West Indies, Australia & England
Jaiswal’s hundred at Leeds wasn’t just another ton—it extended an extraordinary personal milestone. At just 23, he has now scored centuries:
- On Test debut in West Indies
- During the tour of Australia
- Now in England
This puts him in elite company, showing that he thrives not just at home but across continents—underlining his temperament, technique, and adaptability.
The Build-Up: Facing Bumrah & Rana in Nets
One of the most powerful moments in the post-match chat was when Jaiswal remembered an India A training session:
“Harshit Rana and Bumrah bhai were bowling really well. I wasn’t scoring easily, but I kept playing. That gave me confidence.”
He didn’t back away when scoring got tough. He stayed in the nets, committed to learning how to handle tough spells—a trait that translates beautifully into five-day cricket.
India’s Future: Jaiswal, Gill & Pant Lead the Way
This Test series marks a shift in Indian cricket:
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are absent
- A new leadership group is forming
- The younger generation is being tested
With Gill’s captaincy debut, Pant’s return, and Jaiswal’s rise, India’s Test future looks well anchored. All three performed admirably:
- Jaiswal set the tone
- Gill remained calm and tactically aware
- Pant played his natural counter-attacking role
Mental Toughness in Modern Cricket
Jaiswal’s story is more than technique or talent. It’s about mental preparation:
- Visualizing pressure moments
- Simulating adversity in nets
- Building the habit of staying calm
Such habits aren’t just useful in cricket—they reflect elite-level sports psychology.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Overseas Test Centuries
| Opponent | Location | Year | Runs Scored | Match Format | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | Dominica | 2023 | 171 | Test | Century on Test debut |
| Australia | Brisbane | 2024 | 103 | Test | First ton in Australia |
| England | Leeds | 2025 | 101 | Test | Completed set of overseas centuries |
Key Quotes – Jaiswal and Jurel Post-Match Interview
| Speaker | Quote | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Dhruv Jurel | “You said you just have to score runs in England no matter what.” | Reflecting on Jaiswal’s mindset pre-series |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | “Even when the ball was moving, I wanted that challenge in the nets.” | On simulating match pressure in nets |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | “I try to stay calm and focus on my preparation.” | On his off-field personality |
| Jaiswal | “Facing Bumrah and Harshit Rana in nets built my confidence.” | On India A practice sessions |
India’s Top Performers – 1st Test vs England (Day 1)
| Player | Runs Scored | Not Out | Balls Faced | 4s/6s | Batting Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 127 | Yes | 220+ | 18/2 | #3 (Captain) |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 101 | No | 159 | 16/1 | Opener |
| Rishabh Pant | 65 | Yes | 91 | 9/1 | Vice-captain |
Jaiswal’s Preparation vs Performance
| Phase | Activity/Focus | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| India A Nets | Faced Bumrah and Harshit Rana | Built confidence vs moving ball |
| Personal Routine | Simulated match pressure in solo net sessions | Increased mental toughness |
| Match Day (Leeds) | Applied lessons in tough conditions | Scored 101 with 16 boundaries and 1 six |
| Off-field Mindset | Calm, focused, minimal distractions | Enhanced concentration under pressure |
Comparison – Jaiswal vs Other Indian Openers Overseas (Since 2023)
| Player | Overseas 100s | Countries Scored In | Average Away | Notable Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 3 | WI, AUS, ENG | 54.60 | 171, 103, 101 |
| Rohit Sharma | 1 | England | 35.45 | 127 (Oval 2021) |
| Shubman Gill | 2 | AUS, BAN | 41.10 | 91 (Gabba), 110 (Chattogram) |
Fans React to the BCCI Interview
Cricket fans across platforms praised the honesty and insight from the interview.
“Love the humility and drive Jaiswal shows. Future legend!”
“Match pressure in nets? That’s Kobe Bryant stuff. Respect.”
“This generation of players is scary good AND humble.”
The video has since gone viral across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, trending with hashtags like:
- #Jaiswal
- #INDvsENG
- #AndersonTendulkarTrophy
- #GillCaptaincy
Quick Stats: Jaiswal at a Glance
| Match Location | Opponent | Runs Scored | Format | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | WI | 171 | Test | 2023 |
| Australia | AUS | 103 | Test | 2024 |
| England (Leeds) | ENG | 101 | Test | 2025 |
Conclusion: A Glimpse of Greatness
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century against England is impressive—but the real story lies in his preparation. The desire to face “match-like pressure” in nets, his hunger to score in English conditions, and the mental clarity he carries make him one of India’s most promising Test batters.
His partnership with young leaders like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant hints at an exciting new chapter in Indian cricket.
If this is how the next generation prepares, then India’s cricketing future looks not just safe—but potentially dominant.