Not many batters can boast of having scored their first five Test hundreds in four different countries. Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose nascent career is still in its 20th match, has managed that feat.

On Friday in the opening Test against England at Headingley, the 23-year-old reached the three-figure mark (101) in his first match here, something he also managed in Perth last year by scoring a ton in his maiden outing — albeit in the second innings — in Australia.

“I think all the things I do, everything, I enjoy and love it,” Jaiswal said after the day’s play in Leeds. “But some are special, and a first is first always.”

Though the 22 yards proved to be batting paradise, Jaiswal was mindful of the early morning help most bowlers get in these parts. He was far from expansive in the initial phase, and eschewed all risk on the leg-side, not accounting for a single boundary in that region all innings.

“Challenges are always there in cricket,” he said. “It’s different at different stages. I was just trying to keep faith in my process, about how to play in particular situations, how the field is, where they are bowling and what the team needs.”

Jaiswal said that he enjoyed batting with Shubman Gill during the 129-run third-wicket stand.

“We spoke a lot in the middle. It was to play session by session, and cash in when there is a loose ball. There was amazing camaraderie. It was great to bat with him. He was calm and composed.”

Former New Zealand speedster Tim Southee, who is now part of the English backroom staff, doffed his hat too.

“They negotiated the first hour well, they left [the ball] well,” Southee said.

“There was a little bit of assistance but overall a pretty good surface, which is encouraging for us while we get to bat. But credit to them, Jaiswal and Gill played a pretty good hand”.