Renowned cricketing legend Brian Lara has bestowed a rare honor upon Indian cricket’s rising star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, by tipping him to shatter records previously held by none other than Lara himself. With unwavering confidence, Brian Lara has vocalized his belief in the young Indian opener’s potential, asserting that Yashasvi Jaiswal possesses all the necessary tools to carve his name in cricketing history.
Brian Lara, a Trinidadian cricketer, is considered one of the greatest batsmen ever. During his career, he set numerous records including the highest score in both Test (400 not out) and first-class cricket (501 not out). Lara also led the West Indies to their first major ICC trophy win in decades at the 2004 Champions Trophy. Lara retired in 2007, though he still is involved in cricket-related events and commentary.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been on a tear recently, particularly in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Jaiswal has emerged as a vital batsman for his team. His most impressive performance came against the Mumbai Indians where Jaiswal unleashed an aggressive knock, scoring an unbeaten 104 runs off just 50 balls. This explosive inning, studded with 9 fours and 7 sixes, played a pivotal role in securing a comfortable victory for the Rajasthan Royals. Earlier this year, in the Test series against England, Jaiswal displayed remarkable talent. He played a crucial role in the series, with a standout performance where he scored a brilliant 214 runs and remained unbeaten.
Brian Lara’s Records
Throughout his illustrious career, Brian Lara etched his name in the record books with several awe-inspiring achievements. One of his most staggering records is the highest individual score in first-class cricket. In 1994, playing for Warwickshire against Durham, Lara piled on a monumental 501 runs and remained unbeaten.
Lara’s dominance extended to the international arena as well. He holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test match. During a Test against England in 2004, he smashed a jaw-dropping 400 runs and remained not out. He even holds the record for the most runs scored in a single over in Test cricket. Against South Africa’s spinner RJ Peterson, Lara unleashed his power hitting, scoring a staggering 28 runs in just one over.
Beyond individual high scores, Lara was a prolific run-scorer throughout his career. He retired with a world record of 11,953 Test runs, a mark of his consistent brilliance at the crease. While this record has been surpassed by other legends, it speaks volumes about his ability to accumulate runs relentlessly.
Brian Lara on Yashasvi Jaiswal
West Indian cricket icon Brian Lara believes that rising Indian talent Yashasvi Jaiswal has what it takes to surpass his own impressive records, which include scoring an incredible 400 runs in a single Test innings.
Lara hailed Jaiswal in an interaction with PTI editors arranged by Star Sports. He said,
“If I feel my records are threatened, Jaiswal has got a very good chance to do so. He has got capabilities, couple of double hundreds already. He is that good,”
“I think now, the pace that these guys are batting at. And you look at the guys over the years who have challenged that 300-mark and plus. It’s Chris Gayle. It’s Virender Sehwag. It’s Sanath Jayasuriya, It’s Inzamam-ul-Haq. It’s Matthew Hayden. These are guys who destroy bowling attacks. you would not say that for a Rahul Dravid or Steve Smith in the present case. But a player who likes to score quickly, will have an opportunity,”
He further added,
“You know, Jaiswal, I mean, I was in Australia when David Warner came close and you know, he’s an aggressive player. So I believe yes, I think it will be broken at some point in time. I think it has to be that person’s destiny. Everything has to fall into place. And… I look forward to that time. I hope it happens, while I’m still around,”
In a recent five-Test series against England, Jaiswal showcased his incredible talent by amassing a total of 712 runs, which is the second-highest ever by an Indian in a red-ball series. He achieved this remarkable feat with an impressive average of 89 and scored two double centuries along the way.
Throughout his remarkable career, Brian Lara was known for his ability to score big runs in Test matches. He stands as the third highest in terms of scoring double centuries, behind only Sir Donald Bradman and Kumar Sangakkara.
Brian Lara had kind words for Yashasvi Jaiswal, commending his eagerness to learn and his down-to-earth attitude during their conversations. Earlier in the season, after a match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Jaipur, the young Indian player ran to embrace the West Indian legend. This gesture came after Jaiswal’s remarkable performance, where he scored a century that led his team to victory.
Lara said,
“The only thing I can reveal about that (conversation) is I think he is an outstanding young cricketer. what I like about him is that he is very humble and willing to work. The first time I met him (last year), I immediately found myself attached to him. After the game (SRH vs Royals), I went to the hotel with a friend of mine from the Caribbean who knew Jos Buttler,”
“It was midnight and Jaiswal found me. I promise you I left the hotel at 4 in the morning. He just wanted to hear more and more and more. That is one of his amazing traits. His ability to want to learn as much as possible. Our conversations are about trying to make him a better cricketer. I am available for anyone that has my number. I am happy to talk cricket,”
Jaiswal hasn’t been consistent lately in the ongoing IPL. So far, he’s managed 320 runs in 11 matches, with an average of 32. But he’ll have another chance to shine when Rajasthan Royals (RR) faces Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their next game on Sunday, May 12th.