Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara made a humble request to Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal after the young batter dominated the West Indies bowling attack at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi during the ongoing second Test. Jaiswal, 23, was in sensational form on the opening day, smashing 22 fours to score an unbeaten 173, setting the tone for India’s strong position in the match.

Jaiswal narrowly missed out on a well-deserved double century after being run out on Day 2, adding only two runs to his overnight total. In a video shared by the BCCI, Lara, who is currently in India, met the Indian youngster while he was preparing for an interview. The former West Indies captain congratulated Jaiswal and made a playful request. “Don’t beat our bowlers that bad,” Lara said. Jaiswal replied with a laugh, “No. I am just trying.”

Speaking about his batting approach, Jaiswal explained that he always played according to the situation and the team’s needs. “I always put the team first, how I can play for my team and what is important for my team at that moment in time,” he said in the video.

Jaiswal’s Mindset and West Indies Legends in India

“So I always think that, and that gives me the answer to how I can play, what shots I can play, how the wicket is, and if I’m there, I make sure that I take it as long as I can. So that is all my mindset that if I have a start, I make sure that I should make it big, just like that,” added the Indian opener.

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Lara, along with fellow West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards, is in India as part of the "Mission India" campaign to support the cash-strapped Cricket West Indies and help revive its structure in Tests. Lara also visited the West Indies dressing room after Day 2, chatting with players, head coach Daren Sammy, and captain Roston Chase for about 20 minutes.

In the second and third sessions on Day 1, Jaiswal added 193 runs for the second wicket with B Sai Sudharsan who made 87 from 165 balls. Jaiswal praised Sudharsan and also highlighted the strong performances of Shubman Gill, who made 129 runs not out, and the value of partnerships for India in a commanding position early in the Test.