In the heart of Indian cricket, where dreams are forged on dusty pitches and resilience outshines raw talent, Yashasvi Bhupendra Kumar Jaiswal stands as a beacon of hope. At just 23, this left-handed opener from Uttar Pradesh has captivated the nation with his fearless strokeplay and unyielding determination. From selling street snacks in Mumbai’s bustling streets to smashing double centuries against England, Jaiswal’s story resonates deeply with every aspiring cricketer in small-town India. As he cements his place in the national squad across formats, his rise underscores the timeless truth: in cricket, grit often trumps glamour. For fans from Bhadohi to Bengaluru, Yashasvi Jaiswal isn’t just a player – he’s proof that the Indian dream is alive on the field.
Humble Beginnings: A Boy from Bhadohi’s Backstreets
Yashasvi Jaiswal was born on December 28, 2001, in Suriyawan, a modest village in Bhadohi district, Uttar Pradesh. As the youngest of four siblings, he grew up in a simple household where his father, Bhupendra Kumar Jaiswal, ran a small hardware store, and his mother, Kanchan Jaiswal, managed the home. His elder brother, Tejasvi Jaiswal, later pursued domestic cricket for Tripura, hinting at the family’s latent sporting spirit. Life in rural Uttar Pradesh was unassuming, but Yashasvi’s passion for cricket burned bright from childhood. He idolized legends like Sachin Tendulkar, often practicing with makeshift bats in neighborhood lanes.
At the tender age of 10, Yashasvi made a bold decision that would define his life: he convinced his father to let him move to Mumbai, the cradle of Indian cricket, for training at the iconic Azad Maidan. Arriving in the city of dreams with little more than a kit bag, he initially stayed with a distant uncle. But space was scarce, and soon, Yashasvi found himself living in a groundsman’s tent at the maidan, using public facilities and borrowing equipment for practice. To make ends meet, he helped local vendors by assisting with sales of pani puri and other snacks in the evenings – a far cry from the glamour of Wankhede Stadium, just miles away. These early struggles, marked by isolation and financial hardship, tested his resolve but fueled an unbreakable work ethic. “I was alone, but cricket kept me going,” Yashasvi later reflected, a sentiment that echoes the journeys of many Indian greats from modest means.
The Turning Point: Mentorship Under Jwala Singh
Fate intervened in December 2013, when Yashasvi, then 12, caught the eye of Jwala Singh, a coach with the Muslim United Sports Club at Azad Maidan. Singh, himself a former aspiring cricketer from Gorakhpur who had overcome personal tragedies including injuries and his father’s passing, saw a mirror of his own struggles in the determined boy. Impressed by Yashasvi’s technique and hunger, Singh invited him to train under his guidance, providing not just coaching but a home, meals, and emotional support. He became Yashasvi’s legal guardian, treating him like a son and instilling discipline – including a strict “no social media” rule to shield him from distractions.
Under Singh’s tutelage, Yashasvi’s talent blossomed. By 2015, at age 13, he etched his name in the Limca Book of Records with an unbeaten 319 runs and 13 wickets in a single Giles Shield school match – a feat that announced him as a prodigy. Singh’s holistic approach – blending technical drills with life lessons on perseverance – laid the foundation for Yashasvi’s fearless style. Today, as Yashasvi dedicates his milestones to his “coach-father,” Singh remains a quiet force, often seen in the stands, his vow to nurture an India player fulfilled.
Domestic Dominance: Breaking Records and Barriers
Yashasvi’s domestic breakthrough came swiftly. He made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy against Chhattisgarh at 17, scoring steadily in subsequent seasons. His List A bow followed in India’s U-23 tour of Bangladesh in September 2018. But it was the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy that catapulted him to national attention: Yashasvi smashed a double century (203 not out) against Jharkhand, becoming the youngest-ever to achieve the feat in List A cricket at 17 years and 292 days. In the same tournament, he aggregated 553 runs, including another ton, showcasing his maturity on turning tracks familiar to Indian pitches.
His IPL entry in 2020, bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 2.4 crore, was a dream come true, though early seasons were learning curves with modest returns. Explosive cameos built his reputation, culminating in IPL 2023’s breakout: 625 runs at an average of 48.07 and strike rate of 163.61, including a maiden century (124 off 62 balls) against Mumbai Indians – the highest by an uncapped player – and the fastest IPL fifty off 13 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. Ahead of IPL 2025, Royals retained him for INR 18 crore, affirming his status as a T20 powerhouse. Across 67 IPL matches, he has amassed 2,166 runs with two centuries and 15 fifties.
International Ascent: Centuries, Double Tons, and Global Accolades
Yashasvi’s international call-up arrived in 2023, and he seized it with both hands. His Test debut on July 12 against West Indies in Roseau yielded 171 off 387 balls – a century on debut, earning Player of the Match as India won by an innings. T20I bow followed on August 8 against the same opponents, where he notched an unbeaten 84 off 51 in his second game.
The pinnacle arrived in 2024’s home Test series against England: back-to-back double centuries – 179 in Visakhapatnam and 200* in Rajkot – making him the third Indian after Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli to achieve the feat, and the third-youngest globally after Don Bradman and Kambli. He also set a Test record with 12 sixes in an innings at Rajkot. In the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Yashasvi topped India’s run charts with 391 runs at 43.44, including 161 in Perth – his maiden century Down Under. Centuries on debut tours to West Indies (171), Australia (161), and England (101 at Leeds in 2025) further immortalized him.
ODI debut came on February 6, 2025, against England, scoring 15 off 22. He contributed to India’s 2022 Asian Games gold (100 off 49 in semis) and was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, though unused. Nominated for ICC Men’s Player of the Month in February 2024, Yashasvi’s Under-19 World Cup 2020 heroics – 400 runs at 133.33 average, Player of the Tournament – were the prelude.
A Legacy of Inspiration: Why Yashasvi Matters to India
Beyond stats, Yashasvi embodies the Indian cricket ethos – blending aggression with adaptability on seaming tracks abroad and spin-friendly homes. His story, from maidan hardships to global stages, inspires millions, much like those of Sourav Ganguly or MS Dhoni from humbler roots. As he eyes the 2025-26 seasons, including the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with two centuries already (101 and 118), Yashasvi’s journey reminds young fans in Lucknow alleys or Kolkata clubs: every boundary starts with belief.
Last Updated on: Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:43 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:43 pm | News Categories: Sports
About The Author
