“I can't fill Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s shoes” - Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of the first Test vs South Africa

Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has stated he is not aiming to fill into the shoes of the Indian talismanic batters Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma in the longest format of the game; instead, he loves backing his strengths and plays with confidence. 

Speaking about his Test numbers, Jaiswal has accumulated 2428 runs from 26 Tests at an average of 51.65 with seven centuries and 12 half-centuries, with the highest score of an unbeaten 214-run knock.

"What Rohit Bhaiya and Virat Bhai have done in their careers is incredible. They've inspired an entire generation, including me. I see it as an opportunity to learn from them and do my best. I know I can't fill their shoes, but I'll back my strengths and play with confidence," Jaiswal said exclusively on JioHotstar.

Jaiswal ended the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England with 411 runs from 10 innings at an average of 41.1 with two centuries and as many half-centuries. He concluded the tour as the fifth-leading run-scorer for India.

While India will play the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa, starting on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the second Test will commence on  Saturday, November 22, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

For the unversed, in the first Test, Jaiswal has the chance to break Rohit Sharma's record of being the fastest Indian to hit 50 sixes in the longest format of the game. Rohit, who finished with 88 sixes in his Test career, reached the 50-six mark in just 51 innings. Jaiswal has hit 43 sixes in 49 innings, which means Jaiswal has to hit seven sixes in his next innings to break the record.

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