Yashasvi Jaiswal Profile: Son of a small shopkeeper ready to roar for India in fairytale T20 World Cup debut

Batting prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal's path to cricket stardom was far from easy. While most kids his age enjoyed the comfort of getting pocket money from their parents, the young cricketer faced a harsh reality. He had to juggle sleeping in tents and selling pani-puri on the streets of Mumbai to make ends meet. But through it all, his unwavering dream of playing cricket burned bright. This relentless determination has paid off tremendously, bringing him well-deserved success. Despite lacking formal training, Yashasvi possessed a natural talent for cricket. He honed his skills on dusty grounds, transforming any open space into a makeshift pitch. As he matured, he recognized that achieving his dream of professional cricket required more than his small town could offer.

So, at the young age of eleven in 2010, Yashasvi made a courageous decision. He packed his bags and embarked on a journey to Mumbai, a city renowned for its cricketing opportunities. The path was fraught with difficulties, but Yashasvi's determination to pursue his dream remained unwavering. His journey, from the flat plains of Suriyawan to the vibrant streets of Mumbai, resembled a spark igniting a hidden fire within him.

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The son of a small shopkeeper in Uttar Pradesh, is ready to roar for India in his T20 World Cup debut. Let's take you through Jaiswal's inspiring journey.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's rise to stardom: The 2019 U-19 WC breakthrough

Yashasvi Jaiswal, a rising star in Indian cricket, first captured the attention of the global cricketing fraternity during the 2019-20 Under-19 World Cup. His exceptional performance in the tournament, where he amassed 400 runs at an astounding average of 133 across six innings, solidified his position as a promising young talent. Jaiswal's batting prowess, which included four half-centuries and one century, earned him a well-deserved spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

A young prodigy shattering records

Yashasvi Jaiswal stands as the youngest player to score a double century in First-class cricket. His remarkable feat came in 2019 during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he amassed 203 runs while playing for Mumbai against Jharkhand. Jaiswal's consistent brilliance in First-class cricket is evident in his overall tally of 1511 runs across 32 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 53 runs. His batting prowess has resulted in 5 centuries and 7 half-centuries.

Jaiswal's dominance extends to List A cricket as well, where he has plundered 2873 runs in 24 matches, maintaining an extraordinary average of 75.6 runs. This remarkable tally includes 6 half-centuries and 12 centuries, further solidifying his reputation as a young prodigy with an exceptional batting ability.

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A rising star in the IPL

Yashasvi Jaiswal's remarkable journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) began in 2020 when the Rajasthan Royals acquired him for a hefty ₹2.40 crore, impressed by his exceptional talent showcased by a double century in domestic cricket at a mere 17 years of age. Jaiswal did not disappoint, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite with his aggressive batting style.

Jaiswal's peak performance came in the 2023 IPL season, where he unleashed a storm of runs, amassing 625 runs at an astonishing strike rate of over 160. His consistent brilliance has been evident throughout his IPL career, as he has accumulated 1520 runs in 50 matches at a strike rate of 149. This impressive tally includes 9 half-centuries and 2 centuries, further solidifying his position as a rising star in the world of cricket.

A Test debut to remember and a scorching rin England
 

Yashasvi Jaiswal's consistent brilliance was rewarded in 2023 with a Test debut against the West Indies. He made an immediate impact, scoring a sensational 171 runs in his very first Test innings. Jaiswal continued his impressive form in the recently concluded India-England Test series, amassing a staggering 712 runs. In his 9 Test matches to date, Jaiswal has amassed 1028 runs at an average of 68, including 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries. 

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A T20I century and high hopes for the T20 World Cup 2024
 

Jaiswal made his T20 International debut against the West Indies and has since played 17 matches, amassing 502 runs at an impressive strike rate of 161 and an average of 33.47. His tally includes four half-centuries and one remarkable century. Jaiswal's T20 brilliance was on display at the 2023 Asian Games, where he scored a century against Nepal. While he has yet to feature in a T20 World Cup, the Indian team has high hopes for this aggressive left-handed batsman in the upcoming 2024 edition of the tournament.

Jaiswal earns T20 World Cup squad Call-Up

Jaiswal's consistent hard work and impressive performances have paid off as he has been selected in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. While Shubman Gill was initially considered the frontrunner for the opening batsman role, Jaiswal's remarkable run-scoring form in the past few months has solidified his position, pushing Gill aside. Jaiswal is now all set to open alongside Rohit Sharma for Team India.

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