Yashasvi Jaiswal gets a cold preview of what awaits him in New Zealand Tests

After impressive maiden Test tours of Australia and England, Yashasvi Jaiswal is gearing up for a new challenge in New Zealand. His unbeaten 155 in Christchurch for India A has offered an early glimpse of what's ahead.Yashasvi Jaiswal hit an unbeaten 155 in Christchurch on Tuesday (PTI File Photo)New Delhi,Nov 3, 2026 12:36 ISTYashasvi Jaiswal has made a habit of announcing himself on his first major overseas assignments. Australia brought him 391 runs in five Tests, including a century and two half-centuries. On his maiden tour of England, he went a step further, scoring 411 runs in five Tests with two hundreds and two fifties.New Zealand is the next challenge, and the young Indian opener appears to be wasting little time getting accustomed to conditions that could test his technique and temperament.Jaiswal, who is yet to play senior international cricket in New Zealand, has already had a taste of what awaits him. The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 155 for India A in the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A, helping his side draw the match on Tuesday. With the two-Test series against the senior New Zealand side beginning on November 19, the knock could hardly have come at a better time.Not being part of the ODI series has also given Jaiswal time to get used to the conditions. And his assessment of batting in New Zealand suggests he has been paying close attention to the challenges that come with it. "It's very cold here. The ball moves a lot initially and there is a lot of seam movement. And there are good bowlers hitting good areas consistently. So we have to wait a lot to make runs initially," Jaiswal said.Well Played, Jaiswal .... #INDAvsNZA #Jaiswal https://t.co/jKfvWD56s1— (@iamajayjangirr) November 3, 2026The 23-year-old acknowledged that batting becomes a little more comfortable once the ball gets older and the pitch settles, although he was careful not to suggest that scoring runs becomes straightforward. "After that, when the wicket gets better or the ball gets old, it's easy to make runs. I won't say it's easy, but you can play good shots. So it was a lot of fun and it feels good to play here. It's a very different experience," he added.THE CHILLY WEATHERThe weather, in particular, has stood out for the Indian opener. Having experienced conditions in Australia and England, Jaiswal believes New Zealand offers a different proposition altogether."New Zealand is a very different place (compared) to India, Australia, even England. Because it's very cold here. If you look at the air, the whole day it was cloudy. Then for some time, the sun came and left. It's been like this for the last four days," he said.As he prepares for his first senior international assignment in the country, Jaiswal is also clear about the adjustments required. Rather than attempting to force the pace, he wants to stay close to the ball and trust his instincts."Mainly, in my mind, the closer I play to the body, the better it is. Go to the ball and play," he explained.For all the technical adjustments, however, Jaiswal believes the biggest requirement is discipline."It's not that easy...Just focus on process, routine, discipline. I think you have to be very disciplined here," he said.After making strong first impressions in Australia and England, Jaiswal will hope his early lessons in New Zealand translate into another productive overseas Test assignment. This time, he has a head start.- Ends