While it wasn't initially the aim with which the Indian Premier League (IPL) was launched all those years back, one of the league's biggest success for Indian cricket is how it has become integral to youngsters' growth.
Aspiring cricketers get the chance to rub shoulders with leading international players from India and abroad, apart from having the best of coaches looking after their games in a two-month window where they're also paid handsome amounts. It's a win-win deal.
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The opportunity is no different for Mumbai's 18-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was picked by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 2.4 crore last year and is now looking forward to soak in as much as he can playing alongside the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith.
In an interview with ANI, Jaiswal said he hopes to continue the momentum he gained after a fantastic last winter that saw him dominate the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the U-19 World Cup in South Africa.
"I am looking to learn as much as I can from the senior players around me," he said. "They have a lot of experience across formats, something I am looking to consume and apply to myself. There is a big difference between U-19 cricket and senior-level cricket and I'll probably have to start from scratch."
"For me, it's about working hard and learning from other senior players. Luckily I have a lot of players around me here in Rajasthan Royals from whom I can learn more about international cricket."
"The IPL is one of the best tournaments in the world. It is my first IPL and obviously I would be looking to do well with the chances I get and make the most of it. I am willing to bat anywhere for the team, it'll be good for my development no matter where I bat," Jaiswal added.
"The IPL is a tough competition and batting anywhere in the order tests your skill differently, so yeah I'm looking forward to the challenge of fulfilling the role assigned to me and give the best results for my team."
The left-hander is currently going through the hard yards at training in UAE, hoping to be in peak match fitness when the IPL 2020 begins on September 19. Apart from the performance pressure, however, there is also the realisation that there can't be a hiccup at any stage throughout the tournament with regards to the bio-security regulations amid COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is different and quite a challenge to be in such a bubble. It's unlike anything I've experienced before," said Jaiswal. "However, on the other hand, the bubble itself is so well set-up that we do not get bored at any time."
"There is a lot to do here, various facilities that we can use to entertain ourselves, a beautiful team room to hang out with my teammates and spend quality time. The franchise has done brilliantly to provide each one of us with private space for our personal use."
"The private beach is also a massive boost as it helps us get out of the room and safely wander during the day on the beach, and have a bit of a change."
"It is a challenge to stay inside a bio-secure bubble but again that is something which is important and needs to be done for everyone's safety, so not a big issue for me personally on that front. To be fair, the set-up has been really good for us and helps us stay fresh and relax within the environment," he concluded.
