Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his potential in a terrific innings in the recent fourth T20I of the five-match series between West Indies and India on August 12 in Florida.
Chasing 179-run target, Jaiswal and Shubman Gill opened the innings for India and went after the Windies bowlers right from the start. Both were equally punishing and took advantage of the loose bowling.
While Shubman got out for 77 runs, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 84 in 51 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes as India won the match by 9 wickets and leveled the series 2-2 with the final T20I to be played on August 13, 2023, also in Florida.
Jaiswal had an outstanding maiden outing in international cricket, as he scored a century and a fifty in his first two Test matches for India and now after a lull start in his first T20I, he showed why he is considered to be a future superstar for India.
He was also named the Player of the Match and during the post-match presser, the Mumbai batter talked about his innings.
"It's just the start. I want to keep doing and building on it. I'm happy today but I want to make sure that I'm ready for tomorrow also. It (half-century) was really special, representing India is always a proud moment. Of course, there is a lot of thought and hard work behind it. I'm so blessed and grateful that I was able to express myself today and it went off well,” he said.
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill had opened the innings in the first three T20Is, but then the Indian team management handed the keeping gloves to Sanju Samson and brought in Jaiswal to partner Gill.
Talking about the support from senior players in the Indian team and the management, Jaiswal lauded them for creating an environment of inspiration for youngsters.
"What they (Rohit and Rahul) have done is amazing. They are legends of the game. I just think that we just need to go and try doing what we can do. We have a long way to go. We've an amazing bunch of seniors like Rohit bhaiya, Virat bhaiya, Hardik bhaiya, Surya bhaiya and Rahul sir. The way they talk, I make sure to listen to their experiences and how they carry themselves.
I just try to gather as much information as possible from their talks and put that into my game. I believe in my process a lot... if it would be right, the result will follow," he said.
He further said that there's a lot of hard work and mental makeup behind his success at the highest level.
"Of course, the transition is all important. It's about how I am doing my practice, and how I am shifting my mind, it's all about mindset. I trust myself. I always believe that if I give everything it can happen. I just keep telling myself, to go out there and express myself. I just try to keep it simple.
I just keep telling myself, I trust, I believe and I will do that. I need to eat well, and sleep well. I work hard on my fitness, diet, sleep, and recovery. If my process is right, the results will come,” he further said.
His message to the youngsters is simple: "Believe and trust yourself."
"You need to work hard and stick to the process, keep fighting, always there will be hope and a chance. Keep telling yourself 'I can do this, I will do this'. It's about trusting your emotions, that make a person strong and keep doing it. Working hard is important because when pressure comes that will help you," he signed off.
India and West Indies will play the final T20I on August 13, 2023, also in Florida.
(PTI inputs)
