WATCH: Yashasvi Jaiswal gives blunt response to criticism over team selection for 2nd England Test

Yashasvi Jaiswal addressed the media after the end of Day 1 at Edgbaston, offering a firm response to the backlash surrounding India’s selection calls for the second Test against England. India made three changes, including resting Jasprit Bumrah—decisions that drew criticism from former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Aaron Finch, and Dale Steyn. However, Jaiswal firmly backed captain Shubman Gill, stating there was absolute clarity within the team.

“I think he’s been amazing the way he’s batting. It’s just incredible to see him bat, and as a captain also, he’s been amazing. I think he’s very clear in his head about what he needs to do with the team, and we are very confident in what we are going to do. So yeah, we are just trying our best. There’s no confusion in it,” Jaiswal said. The opener also noted that Gill's leadership has instilled confidence in the group, brushing aside any talk of internal uncertainty.

Electing to bowl first, England captain Ben Stokes hoped to exploit favorable conditions, but after KL Rahul’s early dismissal, Jaiswal helped stabilize the innings alongside Karun Nair. Though Nair and Rishabh Pant couldn’t build on their starts, Jaiswal continued his superb form with a fluent 87 off 107 deliveries, laced with 13 boundaries.

“Just Cricket”: Jaiswal Reflects on Missed Century and Strategic Mindset

Reflecting on his knock and the approach he adopted early on, Jaiswal said, “I really enjoyed batting. I was just trying to keep playing the session and trying to play the spell, and then when I thought, ‘okay I can score runs, and there is opportunity, so I will go, and I will try and score some runs.’ That’s what I was thinking when I was batting… the wicket was a bit damp, I feel. I was just trying to play as much as I could that time.”

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See Also: WATCH: England star tries to distract Shubman Gill with fake no-ball signal in 2nd Test at Edgbaston

Though disappointed at missing out on a hundred, Jaiswal remained philosophical. “It is disappointing. But it’s ok. I think it’s a part of the game as well, as I just need to keep learning with what I do, and with that I want to enjoy the game as well because in the end I feel that it’s just cricket, and cricket is a wonderful game, so I want to enjoy it as well,” he said. Speaking on England’s short-ball ploy with a packed leg-side field, he added, “I try to find a solution and what will be good in this situation. So, I just keep thinking about that. There will be a plan always. I just need to find what the best solution can be.”