Yashasvi Jaiswal: From Sleeping in a Tent to Making India Under-19

Jaiswal’s story is one of utmost resolve

Jaiswal practised his chops playing for the Mumbai U-16 and U-19 squads, as well as in the inaugural T20 Mumbai League.

(Photo Courtesy: T20 Mumbai League)

Seventeen-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal will represent India when he travels with the Under-19 team to Sri Lanka to play 2 Youth Tests and 5 Youth ODIs starting 17 July.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Jaiswal remembers his struggle to the top. The teenager told the daily about how he travelled alone from his village of Badhohi in Uttar Pradesh to the Mumbai age 11.

At first, he slept in a dairy at Kalbadevi, but he was soon kicked out. An uncle requested Muslim United Club to allow him to sleep in a tent along with the groundskeepers of Azad Maidan.

Azad Maidan, spread over 25 acres in the heart of Mumbai, also served as Jaiswal’s living quarters(Photo: YouTube Screengrab)

He called the tent home for three years, often going to bed hungry after a tiring day.

“I would miss my family and would cry. It was not just being homesick but going to the toilet was a hindrance to sleep. There was no toilet at the maidan, and the one near Fashion Street that I used was closed at night,” he told the daily.

As per the report, he was spotted by local coach Jwala Singh, who took him under his wing.

Jwala Singh was himself a celebrated youth player, and he became Jaislwal’s guardian and mentor(Photo Courtesy: Mumbai Cricket Club)

He must have been around 12 years and I saw him facing an ‘A’ division bowler with ease. I could relate to him... No godfather, no guide. He is gifted.

Jwala Singh, Jaiswal’s coach, to the Indian Express

He now lives in a chawl (tenement) in Kadamwadi. With his upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, the dream the teenager brought to Mumbai has finally come true.

“You are talking about mental pressure in cricket? I have faced it daily in my life for years. Those have made me strong. Scoring runs is not important. I know I will score and take wickets. For me, whether I get the next meal or not, that’s important,” he tells the daily.

Things are now looking up for the young man as he takes the next steps on his cricketing journey(Photo courtesy: shirishy_ on Twitter)

His perseverance and work ethic should inspire all of us.