Mumbai opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on Wednesday (October 16) became the youngest batsman in the world to score a double ton in List A cricket with an innings of 203 in 154 balls against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group A match.
With this herculean effort at the KSCA ground in Alur, the 17-year-old Yashasvi also became the seventh Indian to register a List A double century and the second one to do it after Sanju Samson in this season's Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Stats: List of batsmen who have scored double tons in List-A Cricket
His knock which was studded with 17 fours and 12 sixes - most in a single innings this year - took Mumbai to a colossal 358/3 in their 50 overs.
Jharkhand gave a good account of themselves in the chase on the back of Saurabh Tiwary’s 78-ball 77 and Virat Singh's 77-ball 100. But Dhawal Kulkarni’s 5-fer eventually helped Mumbai to seal the deal by 38 runs.
After the victory, Jaiswal spoke to the media and reflected on his knock, saying: "(The innings) felt very good. I didn't think much and just played on the merit of the ball and it happened (the double century)."
The left-hander wasn’t aware that he became the youngest double centurion till reporters brought it to his notice. For a teenager, Jaiswal seems extremely matured and he credits his early struggle for this.
"The early struggle made me mentally strong. In whichever situation I am, now I am confident of doing well. I will try my best and the rest depends on God. I just focus on the process. I won't pay much attention to the results. Whatever is in my control I will do. The struggle is there even now and it will be there always. Back then I enjoyed playing cricket much like I am doing now. I just play with a lot of heart and I just know one thing: that is to play cricket," he explained.
As per a report published in TOI, Jaiswal has seen worst of days while playing maidan cricket in Mumbai after moving from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh. He had slept hungry with no proper roof under his head. During the cold nights, the youngster had spent sleeping in cramped tents.
This was his third three-figure mark in the tournament after two centuries (113 and 112) against Goa and Kerala.
"My aim is to play well for the team and play the long innings. They say Mumbai batsmen are khadoos and won't give away their wickets easily. Even I think like that and do not give up my wicket easily. The bowlers should get me out," Yashasvi said.
The teenager then credited Mumbai selectors, Wasim Jaffer, coach Vinayak Sawant and his mentor Jwala Singh for playing a part in his success.
"This is a great atmosphere. Shreyas (Iyer), Suryakumar (Yadav) and (Aditya) Tare have all guided me so well. From my first match they have given me a lot of tips, like how to bat against spinners in the middle overs. It is helping me a lot. As a youngster I am motivated by looking at them," Jaiswal concluded.
(With TOI inputs)
