Happy to bat at number 9: Jayant Yadav

Mumbai: Jayant Yadav thanked Haryana, his Ranji Trophy team, for helping him improve his batting, after he brought up his maiden Test hundred here on Sunday. Jayant, playing his 3rd Test for India, scored 104 and was involved in a match-changing 241-run stand with skipper Virat Kohli (235).

“I have always been a handy batsman ever since I started playing junior level cricket. But as I came up the ranks, I always wanted to improve my batting and my Ranji Trophy side helped me,” said Jayant.

Jayant, who became the first Indian cricketer to score a Test ton batting at number 9, said that he would like to keep batting at the same spot. “I have scored a double hundred (in domestic cricket against Karnataka in December 2012) batting at number 9 and now the Test ton from the same position. I am happy to bat at 9,” he said.

Although he was watchful with the bat on Day 3 of the Test, he scored at brisk pace as he and Kohli added 128 runs in the first session of day’s play on Sunday.
“England were attacking me more and setting defensive fields against Virat. So, I just cashed in on bad balls,” said Jayant before adding that he and Virat did share a laugh or two between overs. “Virat told me focus on every ball and not worry about runs,” added Jayant.  

The Indian all-rounder though refused to comment on England’s spin bowling, saying: “I am nobody to judge how they (England spinners) bowled or did not bowl. I am here to talk about our team and how our bowlers bowled. Indian spinners bowled in good areas consistently.”

Jayant, who is having a good time with bat and ball in his first Test series, said that he would like to improve his bowling. “There always is a scope to improve in all facets; batting, bowling and fielding. Obviously, I want to improve in all three. But more so, my bowling,” concluded Jayant.