India’s latest cricket sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise in international cricket with a stellar century in the opening Test against Australia at Perth on Sunday.
The 22-year-old left-hander scored a commanding 161 on the third day of the first match in the five-Test series, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most promising talents.
Jaiswal, who had started the day on 90, exhibited patience and precision to notch up his fourth century in just 15 Test matches.
His impressive innings against a formidable Australian bowling attack adds to his growing list of achievements, which includes a debut century of 171 against the West Indies in 2023 and two double centuries against England earlier this year.
Journey of resilience
Hailing from a humble background, Jaiswal’s journey to stardom is a testament to his resilience and determination. Born in a small village, he moved to Mumbai at the age of 11 with dreams of donning the Indian jersey. Without stable accommodation, he initially stayed with his uncle before being asked to find another place due to space constraints.
“I used to sleep in a dairy and later in a tent near Azad Maidan,” Jaiswal revealed in an interview in 2020. Azad Maidan, known as a cricketing hub in Mumbai, became his training ground where he honed his skills during the day.
To sustain himself, Jaiswal sold street snacks, fetched balls during club matches, and even kept score for local games. His hard work bore fruit when he became the youngest batsman to score a domestic one-day double century at just 17 years and 292 days in 2019.
IPL breakthrough
Jaiswal’s breakthrough moment came in 2019 when he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. He shone in the 2023 season, forming a formidable opening pair with England’s Jos Buttler. His 625 runs at a strike rate exceeding 163 made him a standout performer.
From enduring hardship on the streets of Mumbai to scoring runs against the world’s best bowlers, Jaiswal’s rise embodies the spirit of Indian cricket’s new generation. His latest heroics in Perth have further endeared him to fans, who see him as a future mainstay in the Indian lineup.
