Yashasvi Jaiswal has taken the ICC Under-19 World Cup by storm. His unbeaten century in India’s 10-wicket win in the semi-final against Pakistan took a 312-run lead in the tournament. That made him the top scorer. Jaiswal remained unbeaten in 113 balls with 105 fours and eight fours. It was part of an unbeaten 176-run opening stand with Divyansh Saxena (59 *) in the unilateral semi-final. It was an innings that received praise from all quarters, with Pakistan fast bowler Mahan Shoaib Akhtar saying that Jaiswal destined for big things.
Shoaib said on his YouTube channel, Remember my words that Jaiswal is going to the places. He has the power, passion and interest for the game. He will represent the senior team, and it is a guarantee.
He said Pakistan players need to learn from Jaiswal’s history. He is running behind excellence and money is now running after him.
It is a roller coaster ride for the UP-born player who had to sell Panipuri on the streets of Mumbai in his early days after his father moved to the big city.
Jaiswal told the ICC in December last year. I like to play cricket and playing the game gives me great joy and happiness. I used to watch Sachin sir with the bat and from that time I wanted to stay in Mumbai
When I came to Mumbai with my father, I used to go to Azad Maidan. I loved playing cricket there. I started practising there, but my father said ‘Let’s go back to Uttar Pradesh. But I said. Stay here and play for Mumbai.
I came to Azad Maidan with all my belongings. At that time, a match was taking place, and Pappu sir told me that if I performed in that match, there would be a tent for me to stay. I played and showed that match. Well. As a result, I had to stay in a tent. But it was not easy for me because there was no light and toilet.
He said that just as his determination began to falter, similarly Jwala Singh, a coach of the maiden, saw him and decided to take young Jaiswal under his wing.
I had no money to buy food and no place to live either. However, Sir told me to focus on cricket, and he would take care of everything else. I was selected to play for Mumbai. In Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019. I went for the match and set the record for being the youngest to score a double century in List A cricket.
Jaiswal scored 203 from 154 balls for Mumbai against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Since then, the edge for Jaiswal has been sharp, and his inclusion in the Under-19 World Cup squad has hardly come as a surprise.
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