Jayant Yadav credits Virat Kohli for his maiden Test hundred

Indian allrounder Jayant Yadav who is having a terrific debut series credited his captain Virat Kohli after scoring his maiden Test century against England at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The pair stitched together a record 241-run partnership for the 8th wicket to take India to a position of strength.

Jayant who is predominantly a bowler played a brilliant innings for a batsman coming in as low as No.8. he will definitely cherish his maiden international ton and will be thankful to Kohli for providing him the opportunity to represent India at the Test level.

Courtesy their sublime partnership, India took a 231-run 1st innings lead to ensure they were in the driver’s seat. Ever since making his debut in the 2nd Test at Vizag, Jayant has looked completely unnerved in the middle be it with the ball or the bat. He never looked under any sort of pressure and played all the English bowlers with disdain.

He had scored 35 and 27 in the 2nd Test and followed it up with a fighting half century in the Mohali Test. He couldn’t have asked for anything more as he completed his maiden Test century with Virat Kohli at the other end. Despite starting his international career in a spanking fashion, Yadav feels there is a lot of room for improvement and thanked his captain for backing him.

“I can say that things are going well for now, but there is always scope for improvement in everything, be it batting, bowling or fielding. I had a very good mindset when I was out there with Virat (Kohli). When you are batting with Virat things seem much more easier, it was a good partnership,” Jayant said after the day’s play.

The youngster was peppered by short balls by the English pace brigade during his nervous nineties but he kept his calm and batted out the spells from Chris Woakes and James Anderson to finally notch up his maiden Test century. He also became the 1st Indian to score a Test century batting at No. 9.

“When they were bowling short balls he (Kohli) told me to pull. I have been working on my batting with Sanjay (Bangar) and back in Haryana as well. I really pride my wicket. I went wicketless in the first innings, so wanted to contribute more with the bat,” Jayant said.

Yadav was like an obedient student in the middle taking suggestions from Virat Kohli on how to approach his innings. He was also quick to reveal that he turns to Ravichandran Ashwin whenever he needs an advice while bowling.

It simplifies a lot of things (watching Virat bat at the other end). You also feel his energy, mindset. As for Ashwin, more than anything, he gives situational advice. What the batsman is trying to do, what lines to bowl, what can be better, something on those lines,” he concluded.