Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been making waves with his impressive performances in Test cricket. Despite the rain-affected first day of the opening Test against New Zealand, Jaiswal spent an hour at indoor nets, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
Jaiswal’s childhood coach, Jwala Singh, believes that the 21-year-old’s maturity and focused mindset will serve him well when he embarks on the biggest challenge of his career in Australia next month. “At this level, it’s about handling pressure,” said Singh. “Yashasvi has a mature head on his shoulders, which is crucial in Australia, where they play hard cricket.”
Since his Test debut in 2023, Jaiswal has amassed 1217 runs at an average of 64.05, including three centuries. Singh attributes his growth as a batsman to his association with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. “Being around such masters has helped him a lot,” he said.
Jaiswal’s aggressive batting style has been tempered with a more judicious approach. “He now has better awareness of his game and knows which balls to attack and which to let go,” noted Singh. This was evident in his breakout series against England earlier this year, where he handled legendary pacer James Anderson with aplomb.
However, the challenge of playing in Australia is vastly different. Former England pacer Alan Mullaly believes that Indian batters need to be prepared for short-pitched bowling and spicy pitches. “The Aussies will go hard at them with short stuff,” he said.
Despite the challenges, India skipper Rohit Sharma is confident in Jaiswal’s abilities. “He has the game to play in all sorts of conditions,” said Sharma. “We’ve found a great player.”
Jaiswal’s journey in the next couple of years will be crucial in determining his long-term success. With his dedication, maturity, and adaptability, he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian Test team for years to come.
