Xtra Time Web Desk: It has been quite an inspiring journey for young Yashasvi Jaiswal. From selling pani puri to scoring his maiden ton in ongoing IPL 2023 season. Yashasvi has come off ages. And the way he has been performing, it will not be too long a wait before he breaks into the Indian team in T20 format, starting with the upcoming tour to West Indies in July.
Who would have thought that the 21 years old will top the Orange Cap list mid-way in the IPL 2023 season. Yashasvi has done just that as he has now amassed 428 runs in 9 innings at an average of 47.56. He has scored the runs at a staggering strike rate of almost 160. During his 62 ball 124 runs knock against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium, the left hander smashed 16 boundaries and 8 sixes.
Those who have followed Yashasvi’s career won’t be too surprised by his success. He is regarded as one of the most promising talents across formats in Indian cricket. Since making his first-class debut for Mumbai in January 2019, Jaiswal has scored 1845 runs in just 15 matches at an astonishing average of 80.21 and strike rate of 67.48 to boot. He already has nine centuries to his name in first class cricket and two half centuries. He is the youngest player to score a double century in 50-over cricket and was the leading run scorer in the 2020 U-19 World Cup in 2020.
It wasn’t too long before that tournament that Jaiswal was staying in a tent with the groundsmen of the Azad Maidan in Dadar. Hailing from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, Yashasvi travelled to Mumbai to make a career in cricket. He had to undergo a lot of hardships during his early days in Mumbai. He had to live in the tent after he was evicted from a shop, he was working for in the Kalbadevi neighbourhood. He even had to sell pani puri to make ends meet.
Jaiswal’s talent was first spotted by coach Jwala Singh, who took him under his wing and provided the youngster a place to stay. Pretty soon, Jaiswal started turning heads with his knocks. He came to the limelight in 2015 when he scored 319 not out and took 13/99 in a Giles Shield match, an all-round record in school cricket, which was recognized by Limca Book of Records.
Soon after Yashasvi got selected in age group teams of Mumbai and finally made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2018/19 season. With a breakthrough IPL season so far, Yashasvi is waiting to take the next big step in Indian cricket.