Jaiswal slammed 77* off 32 balls during the RR versus MI clash in Guwahati.
The game was reduced to 11 over-a-side as it started after nearly three hours due to rain. Invited to bat first, RR racked up a massive 150/3, driven by Jaiswal's unbeaten 77 off 32 balls and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 39 off 14.
Chasing a steep target, the five-time champions suffered an early collapse, falling to 22/3 after losing Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, and Suryakumar Yadav. Despite middle-order resistance from Naman Dhir and Sherfane Rutherford (both scoring 25), MI finished their innings at 123/9.
After receiving the Player-of-the-Match award, Jaiswal revealed that he had a clear plan during the 3.2-over powerplay, focusing on which bowlers to target.
“I had something in my mind because only three over of powerplay. So I was thinking, how can I take down the overs or who I can take down. So I was planning the minute I saw Chahar Bhai is coming I thought I can take him on and then Bumrah Bhai came in. So I was thinking, okay, maybe Vaibhav can take on Bumrah. Then I will try to pick someone else. So I just keep thinking who can I go after and what shots I can play,” Jaiswal said at the post-match presentation.
While the southpaw acknowledged that switching formats is challenging, he stressed the importance of preparation.
“It's not easy, but I'm trying my best every single time when I go into my preparation. I feel like what I can do, how I can improve and make sure that I'm developing different shots. So all the time I try to play different shots and try to understand what shots in what wickets. So it always helped me when I prepare well,” he added.
The 24-year-old also attributed his success to situational awareness and adaptability. “I just try to understand the situation and I think of what I can do for my team and how I can play for my team. So I'm trying to change my game all the time and if I know, okay, this is required, if I understand this shot is required at the moment. So I'll go for it and I'll try to... I try to put my team first and I will try and play according to how my team needs,” he remarked.
Jaiswal opened up on his strong on-field chemistry with Sooryavanshi, noting that teenage prodigy’s aggressive approach motivates him and that they frequently discuss game plans.
“The way he has been playing, it's tremendous. He's working so hard as well. So I also get motivated. Okay, I also need to develop some different shots. And all the time we have these discussions like, how can we go? And if he's taking on someone, I'll just keep giving him positive message that you can go after him and whatever, just play freely and khel bindaas, something like that.
“(So do you play the Bade Bhaiya?) I don't think so. He's amazing and he understands the game very well. He's quite capable to do it himself. He's enjoying his game and he's playing unbelievably well,” Jaiswal concluded.