Yashasvi Jaiswal: Emerging Prince Of Indian Cricket

Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliance in the second Test against England saw him score an impressive 209 and contribute over half of India's first-innings total.

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This makes him the third-youngest male Indian player to score a double century in Test cricket. Following an excellent performance in the first Test with 80 runs, Jaiswal outshone other batters, converting his century into a double on the second day.

That Leap. That Celebration. That Special Feeling ? ?

Here's how Yashasvi Jaiswal notched up his Double Hundred ? ?

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While both the teams traverse through rest of the match, let's explore Jaiswal's extraordinary ascent to greatness.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: A glimpse into greatness

Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden Test double hundred in the Visakhapatnam Test against England not only joined him with former batter Vinod Kambli in an exclusive list but also revealed striking parallels in their journeys.

Both Jaiswal and Kambli, left-handed Test double-centurions, share not only that but also humble beginnings. They defied the odds to pursue their cricket dreams, each with a unique connection to Mumbai's Azad Maidan.

Starting from modest origins in Mumbai, both Kambli and Jaiswal embody resilience and determination in their inspiring journeys. The Aazad Maiden, a revered landmark in Mumbai, becomes the intersection point for the destinies of these two left-handed stalwarts.

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Jaiswal, who is 22 years and 37 days old, has become the third youngest Indian left-handed batsman to score a double century in Test cricket. The only two players who achieved this feat at a younger age than him are Vinod Kambli (21 years and 32 days) and Sunil Gavaskar (21 years and 277 days).

Moreover, Yashasvi Jaiswal draws inevitable comparisons to Virender Sehwag due to his fearless approach and quick-scoring abilities, which resemble those of the former Indian opener.

Much like Sehwag, Jaiswal's aggressive strokes early in the innings and composed gameplay bring a refreshing and exciting style to Indian cricket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliance at international level

In June 2023, Jaiswal earned his first call-up to India's Test cricket squad for the West Indies series.

Making a memorable debut in the opening Test, he scored 171 runs, earning the Player of the Match title and contributing to India's victory.

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He made his T20I debut against West Indies in August 2023, scoring an unbeaten 84 off 51 balls, including a formidable opening partnership of 165 runs with Shubman Gill.

In January 2024, he secured a spot in India's squad for the ongoing 5-match Test series against England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal unleashed a storm in IPL 2023

In his 37-match IPL journey, Yashasvi Jaiswal has amassed 1172 runs with an impressive average of 32.56. Noteworthy highlights include a century, 8 half-centuries, and a highest score of 124 runs.

Displaying a penchant for aggressive batting, the young gun boasts 144 fours and 48 sixes, a performance that affirmed Rajasthan Royals' decision to secure his services for Rs 4.00 Cr in the IPL Auction.

The aforementioned 124-run inning from IPL 2023 was Jaiswal's resounding declaration with his bat, reaffirming his arrival on the international stage. That night, Jaiswal took Mumbai Indians to task and achieved this score in 62 deliveries.

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Despite Rajasthan Royals falling short of victory due to a blockbuster finish by Tim David from the opposing team, fans took notice of Jaiswal's fearless innings. The significance of the score is highlighted by the fact that his opening partner, Jos Buttler, only managed to contribute 18 runs off 19 balls.

Later, in the same edition of IPL, Jaiswal set a new record by smashing the fastest Indian Premier League (IPL) half-century in just 13 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders.

This feat surpassed the previous record jointly held by KL Rahul and Pat Cummins. Concluding the 2023 Indian Premier League, he emerged as Rajasthan's top run-scorer, amassing 625 runs in 14 matches.

Acquired by the Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 IPL auction, Jaiswal made his Twenty20 cricket debut for the team on September 22, 2020.

Showcasing his batting prowess, he secured his maiden T20 half-century against Chennai Super Kings on October 2, 2021, marking the second-fastest in the franchise's history at that time.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's stellar first-class record

In just 15 matches of his first-class career, Jaiswal scored an impressive 1845 runs with an incredible average of 80.21 and a striking rate of 67.48.

He is the youngest player to score a double century in 50-over cricket, with nine centuries and two half-centuries to his credit.

TIL

Despite losing to Bangladesh in the final, Jaiswal emerged as the top run-scorer in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, scoring 400 runs in six matches, including one century and four half-centuries.

Humble beginnings of Yashasvi Jaiswal

Santacruz-based coach Jwala Singh recognised Jaiswal's talent and took him under his wing, providing him with both guidance and accommodation.

Quickly making a mark with his batting prowess, Jaiswal gained prominence in 2015 with a remarkable performance, scoring 319 not out and taking 13/99 in a Giles Shield match.

This all-around achievement set an enduring school cricket record acknowledged by the Limca Book of Records.

What adds even more inspiration to his story is the off-field struggle that Jaiswal has overcome to reach this point.

Azad Maidan| TIL

Just before his remarkable U19 stint, Jaiswal found himself residing in a tent alongside the groundskeepers of the Azad Maiden in Dadar, Mumbai.

Having moved to Mumbai from Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, for cricket coaching at the Maidan, Jaiswal had to make the tent his home after being ousted from a shop in the Kalbadevi neighbourhood.

"The journey I've had, that will stay with me for life," Jaiswal had said in 2022 ahead of the Ranji Trophy semi-finals between Mumbai and UP.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Shubhman Gill

Yashasvi Jaiswal is shining as a standout performer, underlining his impressive double-century in the second Test against England.

In contrast, Shubman Gill is currently facing challenges in Test cricket, maintaining an average of 25.78 in 15 innings since the start of 2023.

Jaiswal's versatility and aggressive gameplay across formats position him favourably, while Gill's struggles in Tests are raising concerns.

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Former cricketers Sarandeep Sharma and Wasim Jaffer are reportedly suggesting promoting Gill to the opening slots in Tests to facilitate a return to form.

The ongoing debate revolves around recent performances, adaptability, and team dynamics, with opinions divided on Gill's ideal batting position.

Jaiswal's remarkable rise and consistent performances make him a compelling choice, while Gill is in the process of rediscovering his form, especially in the longest format.

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