“I won’t say”: Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks silence on poor form in New Zealand after scoring 155

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Unbeaten 155 Rescues India A in Christchurch

Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a timely response to a difficult start in New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 155 for India A in the drawn second unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. His composed innings helped India recover after conceding a first-innings lead of 78 runs and offered a valuable lesson in batting through challenging overseas conditions.

Jaiswal faced 162 deliveries, reaching his century from 119 balls before lifting his scoring rate on the final day. His performance was the centerpiece of India A’s second-innings revival, as the visitors finished on 282 for two in 52.4 overs. The result was a draw, but the match gave the left-hander an opportunity to rebuild confidence and demonstrate the patience required to succeed in New Zealand.

Jaiswal and Rathod Build an Unbroken 247-Run Stand

India A’s recovery gathered momentum after early setbacks on Day 4. Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for 11, while Devdutt Padikkal fell without scoring, leaving the visitors needing a substantial partnership to steady their innings.

Jaiswal found an ideal partner in Yash Rathod, who remained unbeaten on 100 from 122 balls. The pair added 247 runs without being separated, turning a fragile start into a commanding position. Their stand combined Jaiswal’s experience and control with Rathod’s fluent stroke play, giving India A a strong finish after the pressure of falling behind in the first innings.

The partnership also underlined a key feature of long-form cricket: recovery does not always come through rapid scoring. Against a disciplined attack, both batters first had to respect the conditions, protect their wickets and wait for opportunities. Once the ball became older and the surface easier to bat on, they were able to play with greater freedom.

A Difficult Start to the New Zealand A Series

Jaiswal’s century was especially significant because his earlier scores in the series had been modest. He made 17 and five in the opening unofficial Test, then was dismissed for a duck in India A’s first innings at Christchurch. The unbeaten 155 therefore represented a sharp turnaround, as well as a reminder that a difficult stretch does not necessarily define a player’s form.

His innings was built around a clear plan rather than a hurried attempt to erase those earlier scores. Jaiswal described routine, discipline and trust in his process as important parts of performing in unfamiliar conditions. For visiting batters, those habits can matter as much as technical skill: weather, movement and changing light can make it difficult to settle into a predictable rhythm.

Cold Weather and Seam Movement Test India A’s Batters

Jaiswal pointed to Christchurch’s cold conditions and persistent cloud cover as major differences from playing in India and other countries. During the match, the weather shifted between overcast periods and brief spells of sunshine, creating a changeable environment for both batters and bowlers.

In those conditions, the new ball moved sharply off the seam. New Zealand A’s bowlers made the most of that movement by repeatedly hitting challenging areas and forcing the Indian batters to resist the temptation to score too early. Jaiswal acknowledged that the opening phase of an innings required patience, particularly while the ball was new and the bowlers were finding assistance from the conditions.

For cricket followers assessing India A’s tour, the match offered a useful prediction of the challenges young Indian batters may face on future visits to New Zealand. Early movement and disciplined bowling can make the first 20 or 30 runs difficult to earn, while cloud cover can prolong the period in which batters need to remain watchful. Adjusting to those demands is an important part of developing an all-conditions game.

Jaiswal’s Technical Adjustments at the Crease

Jaiswal also explained how he adapted his technique to counter the seam movement. His preference was to play close to his body and move towards the ball, reducing the risk of reaching away from his frame and edging deliveries that were moving off the pitch.

He said he altered his initial stance during the match, reflecting how quickly a batter may need to reassess a method when conditions are unfamiliar. Jaiswal’s approach was not about avoiding attacking shots altogether. Instead, he aimed to judge the ball carefully, defend deliveries in the right areas and take advantage when the bowlers offered something loose.

That balance between restraint and scoring was central to the innings. As the ball aged and batting became more manageable, Jaiswal and Rathod were able to find boundaries and rotate the strike more freely. Jaiswal was careful not to describe the later stages as easy, but said the changing conditions allowed the batters to play better shots.

Dhruv Jurel Leads India A’s First-Innings Effort

India A had earlier scored 346 in their first innings after New Zealand A chose to field. Captain and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel top-scored with 105 from 171 deliveries, providing a substantial contribution in the middle order. Padikkal added 80, while Akash Deep made 68 and Sudharsan scored 41.

New Zealand A’s 78-run advantage meant India A had work to do in their second innings. Jaiswal’s century, alongside Rathod’s unbeaten hundred, ensured the visitors did not let that deficit dictate the final stages of the match. Their stand transformed the innings and gave India A a strong platform before the contest ended in a draw.

A Valuable Confidence Boost for Jaiswal

Beyond the scorecard, Jaiswal’s 155 was an important exercise in adapting to conditions that reward patience. The innings showed how a batter can respond to early failures by returning to a reliable routine, making measured technical adjustments and trusting that scoring opportunities will come.

For India A, the Christchurch match provided encouraging signs across the batting order, from Jurel’s first-innings hundred to the final-day partnership between Jaiswal and Rathod. For Jaiswal, the unbeaten knock was a clear return to form and a valuable experience in navigating New Zealand’s cold, seam-friendly environment. His performance will draw attention as the tour continues, with the prediction of further strong contributions resting on his ability to carry the same discipline into the next challenge.