Yashasvi Jaiswal resides in a sixth-floor 2BHK flat in the congested byways of suburban Santacruz, where concrete structures fill every small space. The modest rental home is a lot cosier than one of Jaiswal’s first homes in Mumbai, the Azad Maidan groundskeepers’ tent. But the newest batting star from India has never let his environment define him or limit his aspirations.
Mumbai’s batsman has now been selected for the Indian side that will travel the West Indies in the upcoming days following a very successful IPL season.
He is anticipated to become India’s new Test No. 3, according to insiders. Jaiswal, 21, represents the beginning of change in Indian cricket since long-standing one-drop hitter Cheteshwar Pujara, 35, is no longer in the squad following the country’s loss in the World Test Championship.
He tells The Indian Express, “This is the moment I have been dreaming of my entire life.” There have been times when he has laid in bed and imagined himself wearing Indian whites, raising both hands to the cheers of the audience.
Jaiswal hasn’t changed, despite the times. He is celebrating his special day with his family after arriving from England a day earlier. Jaiswal is grounded despite his meteoric climb. He continues to drive the same used vehicle that he purchased a few years ago. He’s planning to go running with his brother. He complains to his brother, “Auto se chalenge,” about the traffic and parking issues in Mumbai.
The tale of Jaiswal has been one of inspiration. Every time he performs well in domestic cricket, the tale of his journey from living in a tent to selling panipuri to subsequently playing for India is recounted. After finding Jwala Singh as a coach, things started to move forward.
He recalls a tale of how he and his roommate, a groundskeeper, used to climb one of the Azad Maidan trees to watch IPL games at Mumbai’s Press Club on a big screen. He remembers saying to his flatmate, “One day, you’ll see me playing at the Wankhede Stadium under lights.
Then, this season, on the day of his 100th run against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, those earlier times came flooding back.
The Mumbai opening player had dreamed of having only one opportunity to show off his abilities. Early on, when he wanted to practise in the close-by nets of Azad Maidan, he was frequently warned, “Chal udhar ja, yahan mat kar. (Leave; don’t play here.)”
Jaiswal took use of his opportunity, scoring a hundred.Kapoor concurred, and Jaiswal triumphed.
“I’ve always been willing to take any risk to play this sport. I would sacrifice anything for this because I love it more than my life. I have always stood by my choices, adds Jaiswal.
When he says, “Mujhe yeh karte rehna hai (I want to keep doing this), I don’t know about the future),” he is being realistic. Nobody can predict what will occur next. I never once imagined myself scoring a 13-ball 50; it just occurred.
Jaiswal doesn’t have many friends, he often talks to himself. His priority is to take care of his family, buy a good house and keep his close ones happy all the time. He knows that the only way to excel is to keep going back and keep doing things again and again.
A fanatical adolescent fan travelled to Jaipur, Delhi, then Jaipur one more during the IPL to support him. He was a teenager who dreamed of playing cricket. When Jaiswal phoned him, he advised him to play cricket if he wanted to be like him because supporting him would be ineffective.
“I must persevere for a long time if I want to accomplish something significant. Continue to learn. My parents both stated, “Abhi bahut kuch karna hai” (I have a lot more to accomplish). I never consider matters that are not in my control, he emphasises.
Jaiswal goes to rural Talegoan, located in Nagpur and home to the Rajasthan Royals, if Mumbai is not an option. He participates in his daily workout routine alongside Zubin Bharucha, director of strategy, development, and performance for the Rajasthan Royals.
A few months back, Jaiswal decided to put his head down and work hard in an effort to recover his touch after speaking with Mumbai colleague Suryakumar Yadav outside of an IPL match.
I am hard on myself. I am imaandar (honest) to myself, so if I make a mistake, I tell myself that it was my fault. If something wonderful happens, I’ll say, “Okay, you did well, but look ahead.” I never lose myself because I am aware of who I am, he says.
Jaiswal once made the decision to study English.
He made contact with the English friend he had stayed with while playing cricket. He talked on the phone for several hours. Jaiswal was certain that he would respond in English when Harsha Bhogale questioned him during the IPL in Hindi.
