Yashasvi Jaiswal has added another remarkable chapter to his burgeoning international career. The left-handed opener blazed an unbeaten 110 against Afghanistan in the third ODI at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, becoming the fastest Indian to score two ODI centuries. Jaiswal reached the milestone in just six innings, eclipsing the previous record held by Shikhar Dhawan, who took seven innings. The achievement puts the 24-year-old ahead of some of India's most celebrated batsmen, including Virat Kohli (17 innings) and Shubman Gill (18 innings).
The knock was a display of controlled aggression, as Jaiswal launched into the Afghanistan bowling attack from the very first over. Chasing a target of 219, India began with a slight advantage after Afghanistan were penalized five runs for a slow over rate during their innings. Jaiswal wasted no time, hitting three boundaries in the opening over and bringing up his fifty in just 38 balls. Captain Rohit Sharma complemented him with a fluent 79 off 87 balls, and the pair added 170 runs for the first wicket in only 22.5 overs. Rohit's innings featured his trademark pulls and drives, while Jaiswal's knock included 11 fours and two sixes. The duo's partnership effectively killed the contest before Afghanistan's bowlers could build any pressure.
Jaiswal's unbeaten 110 came off 83 balls, with the century arrived with a single toward midwicket. The innings also placed him among the fastest ODI centuries against Afghanistan, matching the 83-ball effort of Ireland's William Porterfield. The list is dominated by Eoin Morgan (57 balls), Rohit Sharma (63 balls), Ishan Kishan (71 balls), Glenn Maxwell (76 balls), and Shubman Gill (77 balls). Importantly, three of the seven quickest hundreds against Afghanistan have been scored in this series, reflecting India's aggressive batting approach.
Fast Track to Greatness: Jaiswal's Rise
Jaiswal's journey from the streets of Surat and Mumbai to the international stage has been nothing short of meteoric. After a stellar domestic season and a record-breaking IPL career, he earned his ODI debut earlier in 2026. His first hundred came against Sri Lanka in his third match, and he has since shown remarkable consistency. The left-handed opener's ability to rotate strike and find boundaries at will has drawn comparisons with some of the game's all-time greats. His mentor, former India opener Wasim Jaffer, has praised his temperament and work ethic, noting that Jaiswal is always eager to learn and adapt.
In the context of Indian cricket, the record is significant because it highlights the depth of talent in the current batting pool. Kohli, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest one-day players, took 17 innings to score his second ODI hundred. Shubman Gill, another highly rated youngster, needed 18 innings. Kedar Jadhav, known for his middle-order finishing role, took nine innings. The list underscores Jaiswal's extraordinary ability to convert starts into big scores at an elite level.
The Chennai pitch offered some assistance to spinners early on, but Jaiswal's footwork and use of the crease nullified the Afghan tweakers. He used the sweep and reverse-sweep effectively against Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who went wicketless in the match. Jaiswal's running between the wickets also stood out, as he rotated the strike intelligently to keep the scoreboard moving.
Match Analysis: Prasidh Krishna's Heroics Set Up Victory
Earlier in the day, India's pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna produced a career-best performance, claiming 5 for 23 from his 10 overs. His spell dismantled Afghanistan's top order, leaving them reeling at 36 for 4. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi then played a defiant knock, scoring his maiden ODI century—102 off 128 balls—to lift his side to 218 all out. Shahidi's innings included 10 boundaries and was a masterclass in rebuilding under pressure. However, the total was never going to be enough against India's powerful batting lineup on a good batting surface.
Prasidh's bowling was a mix of pace, bounce, and movement. He removed Ibrahim Zadran with a sharp bouncer, then had Rahmat Shah edging to the slips. The wickets of Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi further dented Afghanistan's hopes. The 29-year-old pacer has been a consistent performer for India in ODIs, and his five-wicket haul marked the second of his career. He was ably supported by wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed two wickets in his spell, and Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled economically.
For Afghanistan, the defeat was a disappointing end to a series where they showed flashes of brilliance but could not sustain it. Shahidi's century was a silver lining, as were some promising displays from young opener Sediqullah Atal. However, the bowling unit missed the services of injured fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, which left them short of firepower in the death overs.
Historical Context: How Jaiswal's Record Compares
The record for the fastest two ODI centuries by any batsman belongs to South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen, who achieved the feat in four innings. Jaiswal's six innings is the joint-third fastest overall, sharing the mark with several players including Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman and Australia's Travis Head. Indian fans will be buoyed by the emergence of a player who can both anchor and accelerate, providing the team with multiple batting options as they build toward the 2027 World Cup.
Jaiswal's ability to perform under pressure was also on display during the recent T20I series against England, where he scored a match-winning 90 in a run chase. His ODI average now stands at over 70, and his strike rate of 105 illustrates his capability to score quickly without taking undue risks. Team management sees him as a long-term investment at the top of the order, alongside Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill, depending on the composition.
The left-hander's technique is particularly effective against pace, but he has also shown that he can read spinners off the pitch. His use of the depth of the crease allows him to either attack length deliveries or defend showing the full face. Jaiswal's mental strength is often cited by coaches as one of his standout qualities. He is known to prepare meticulously, analyzing video footage of opposition bowlers and working on specific weaknesses.
Series Sweep Signals India's Dominance
India's 3-0 sweep of the series extends their dominance over Afghanistan in ODIs, having now won all eight matches between the two sides. The home side showed superior depth in both batting and bowling, with contributions from multiple players. Apart from Jaiswal and Rohit, Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial all-round role, scoring a quickfire 35 in the second ODI and picking up wickets. The series also saw the return of veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who played a supporting hand in the middle order.
The team's fast bowling unit—Prasidh, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh—has given the management plenty of options ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which India will host. The spin combination of Kuldeep and Jadeja has been effective in home conditions, but the team will also look to develop part-time options like Jaiswal himself, who bowled a few overs of left-arm spin during the series.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will take heart from their fighting performances. Shahidi's captaincy has been steady, and the emergence of young players like wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil and pacer Abdul Rahman shows promise. However, the team still struggles against high-quality pace and needs better strategies to counter the Indian batting depth.
Jaiswal's Future Outlook
At just 24, Jaiswal has already achieved what many cricketers dream of. He has won the ICC Under-19 World Cup, been the leading run-scorer in the IPL, and now broken into the Indian ODI setup with a record-breaking start. His versatility also earned him a spot in India's Test squad, where he made his debut earlier in the year. The possibility of him becoming a regular in all three formats seems increasingly plausible.
Cricket pundits have already started discussing Jaiswal as a potential successor to Rohit Sharma as an opener in limited-overs cricket. His ability to play the role of an aggressor while still maintaining a high average is reminiscent of a young Virat Kohli or the early career of Shikhar Dhawan. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year in Australia, Jaiswal's form will be crucial for India's chances. He is likely to open alongside Rohit in that tournament, given his recent exploits.
From a statistical perspective, Jaiswal's rate of scoring centuries is exceptional. Only a handful of players in the history of ODI cricket have reached two centuries in fewer than 10 innings. The list includes greats like Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, and Brian Lara, underlining the company Jaiswal is keeping. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about his career trajectory, the early signs are promising.
In the immediate term, Jaiswal will travel with the Indian team for a triangular series involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand, providing yet more opportunities to add to his record. The coaching staff has indicated that they will give him a long run at the top of the order to cement his place. With his current form, it would be difficult to leave him out of the playing eleven.
The match at Chennai also saw some notable milestones for others. Prasidh Krishna's five-wicket haul was the best by an Indian pacer against Afghanistan in ODIs. Shahidi's hundred was the first by an Afghan captain against India. And the series itself was a sellout across all three venues, with fans flocking to see the new generation of Indian stars. The atmosphere at the Chepauk was electric as Jaiswal reached his century, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
As the dust settles on this series, one thing is clear: Indian cricket has found a new gem in Yashasvi Jaiswal. His record-breaking start in ODIs not only surpasses the benchmarks set by Kohli and Gill but also signals the arrival of a player who could dominate world cricket for years to come. While the road ahead will have its share of challenges—foreign conditions, tougher bowling attacks, and the pressure of consistency—Jaiswal has shown that he possesses the tools and temperament to succeed. For now, the record stands as a testament to his talent, and Indian fans can look forward to many more such milestones.
Source: Yahoo Sports News