Seventeen-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal, who on Tuesday led India to a 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2020, scored 105 runs to see India reach the final of the mega event.
His story looks like a plot from the 70’s Bollywood movie with a setup scene. Yeh Lambhi Race Ka Ghoda Hai.
An 11-year-old youngster from a financially challenged background in Uttar Pradesh runs away from his home to Mumbai to live his only passion in life – cricket. He plays cricket in the day, sells ‘Pani Puri’ during the evening and sleeps under a tent in the night. Repeats this process over and over.
Yashasvi was spotted by a coach Jwala Singh, who not only offered him full support but took him to his home and started coaching. Since 2013, Yashasvi is with Singh. The coach was himself a cricket aspirant in the mid-’90s.
Six years later, the youngster makes it to the U-19 Indian Team and is bought by an Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals for a whooping ₹ 2.4 crores. he achieved so much in just under 18 years of age. He is running behind excellence and Money is following him.
Jaiswal is going to go to places. He has the power, passion, and interest in the game. Soon he will represent the senior team and next big thing in Indian cricket.
India U-19 squad for World Cup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Divyaansh Saxena, Priyam Garg (Captain), Dhruv Chand Jurel (vice-captain & wicket-keeper), Shashwat Rawat, Divyansh Joshi, Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, Kumar Kushagra (wicket-keeper), Sushant Mishra, Vidyadhar Patil.
