Indian cricket has witnessed many young talents make a mark for themselves, defying odds and showcasing their passion for the game. One such tale of inspiration is of a boy who once sold ‘Pani Ouri’ to make ends meet and is now a batting sensation in Indian cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal who’s journey started from the dusty pitch of Mumbai’s Azad Maidan continues to surprise both the spectators and critics alike.
The 23-year-old was born on December 28, 2001 in the small town of Suriyawan in Uttar Pradesh, Yashasvi moved to Mumbai at the young age of 12 to pursue cricket professionally. He had no money, no roof and no connections to sustain himself was rejected by several and ridiculed by many others. Yashasvi’s perseverance was rewarded when he was spotted by his coach Jwala Singh, who not only mentored him but also gave him a home.
Jaiswal gained recognition for his skills during the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup, in which he was the top run-scorer and was named Player of the Tournament. Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed Jaiswal after his performance in the tournament, making him a crucial top order batter in the RR lineup. In the 2023 season of IPL, Jaiswal made the record for scoring fastest fifty in IPL history after scoring 50 runs off 13 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Jaiswal finished the season with a tally of 600 runs.
Jaiswal’s real coming-of-age moment came in July 2023 when he played his debut Test match against the West Indies. He played an exceptional innings of 171 runs, which was highest by an Indian opener on debut overseas. In the following year, Jaiswal climbed up the ladder of success in the game by scoring two consecutive double centuries in Tests, which not only displayed his flair but also temperament.
Until today in his career, Jaiswal has played a total of 19 Test matches, scoring 1,798 runs at an average of 52.88, including four centuries with a top score of 214 runs. His T20Is tally consists of 723 runs in 23 matches, including a century and five half-centuries. His strike rate, athleticism in the field, and hunger for big innings make him one of the most complete young players in world cricket today.
