Meeting Sachin Sir was a dream come true, says Yahsasvi Jaiswal

Meeting Sachin Sir was a dream come true, says Yahsasvi Jaiswal

SportsCafe Desk

By SportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Yashasvi Jaiswal has stated that meeting Sachin Tendulkar was a big confidence boost for him which helped him perform well in the U-19 tour to Sri Lanka. He has also added that he aims to score runs and take wickets for his team in order to do his best to get into the Ranji team of Mumbai.

Hailing from an extremely poor background which forced him to sleep in a club tent in the maidans and sell paani puris, Jaiswal grabbed the limelight when he was picked for the India Under-19 team's tour to Sri Lanka recently for the limited-overs leg. Chasing 213 in the fifth and final U-19 ODI of the five-match series, Jaiswal, who was earlier dropped for his poor performance, made a very strong comeback after being promoted up the batting order. Jaiswal managed to hit a brilliant knock of 114 runs off 128 balls in which he hit 8 fours and 3 sixes. 

“After I was dropped, I put in extra focus during practice sessions. I was under pressure, but I was confident that if I get an opportunity, I will give my 100 per cent. I'm thankful to (WV) Raman (coach for the tour) sir and the team management, who backed me for this crucial match," Jaiswal said.

Having come from an impoverished background, the teenaged batsman is determined to succeed in life. Jaiswal is grateful to his mentor and caretaker Jwala Singh, a local cricket coach, who picked the youngster up from a tent in the maidan and took him to his own home.

“Coming from a poor background is also an advantage because then, you don't have anything to lose. Also, it makes me more determined to work harder, as I don't have more options in life apart from playing cricket,” Jaiswal said. 

The left-hander, who idolises Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Wasim Jaffer, now wants to prove his worth in the Ranji Trophy this season. Considering that he has done well at all levels now, Jaiswal can count himself in the scheme of things of the Mumbai selectors this season.

“My job is to score runs and take wickets and try to contribute for my team. It's up to selectors now. But if I get opportunity to play in the Ranji Trophy, I'll give my best," Jaiswal said. 

Jaiswal also described his meeting with Sachin Tendulkar, who called him to his residence and gifted him a bat before leaving for the Sri Lanka tour. He expressed how mesmerized he was and how it all felt like a dream come true.

“Meeting Sachin sir was like a dream come true. He spoke to me for 40 minutes. He advised me to keep my focus on the game and not to think about the past or the future, " Jaiswal said. 

He is also indebted to former India skipper and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar who included him a couple of times on tours to England.

"I'm thankful to Dilip sir, who took me to England when I was just 13. He was always around us to give me his valuable inputs. That trip was very good for me, as I scored a lot of runs and took a good number of wickets on it," Jaiswal concluded. 

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