OTD| India’s young Cricket prodigy, Yashasvi Jaiswal, was born in 2001

The talented left-hander from Mumbai (born in Uttar Pradesh), Yashasvi Jaiswal, has turned 22 today. His journey from a humble background to being one of the biggest future prospects for Indian cricket has been exemplary. He made a lot of headlines in Mumbai Cricket which gave him a spot in the Indian squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. The opener emerged as the leading run scorer in the tournament which earned him recognition from fans and pundits.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been one of the most consistent batters in domestic cricket, regardless of format. The UP-born cricketer took domestic cricket by storm with his performances in first class and List A cricket which forced everyone to take note of him. In 17 first-class matches, Jaiswal has scored 2,111 runs at a stupendous average of 81.19. Not just in first-class cricket but he has been class apart in List-A cricket as well with 1,511 runs at an average of 53.96. 

IPL Heroics and the Blue Jersey

Jaiswal was picked up in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction by Rajasthan Royals in 2020 though he did not get many opportunities in that season. The first real breakthrough season for him was in 2023 where Jaiswal ended up with 625 runs including a phenomenal century as well. 

Immediately after the IPL, he got his maiden call-up for the Indian team as he was selected in the Test and T20 squad for the West Indies tour. He made his international debut against West Indies in the first test of the series at Roseau where he smashed a century in the very first match of his international career. Almost a month later he went on to make his T20I debut as well, against the same opposition. 

Jaiswal, in a very short span of time, has proved himself to be a player for the long term. Going ahead Team India will rely a lot on this youngster, in all formats of the game. The left-hander has a bright future and he must keep striving to be the best version of himself.