India starter Yashasvi Jaiswal is the latest person in international cricket to go from selling food on the street in Mumbai to getting the player-of-the-match award in his first test match in Roseau.
India beat West Indies by an innings and 141 runs in three days. Jaiswal’s 171 helped the hosts reach 421-5 before they announced their innings, which led to India’s win.
The 21-year-old from Uttar Pradesh who went to Mumbai when he was 12 did a great job. There, he made pocket money by selling “pani-puri,” an Indian snack, and slept in tents until a coach took him under his care.
The left-handed batter has done well in local cricket and was named player-of-the-tournament at the Under-19 World Cup in 2020. After that, Rajasthan Royals paid him 24 million Indian rupees ($292,508) to join the Indian Premier League.
India wanted a left-right mix at the top, especially after Shubman Gill asked to move to number three. Jaiswal was chosen to play with captain Rohit Sharma, and the first-timer did a great job right away at Windsor Park.
“When I was young, I used to wish I could play for my country,” Jaiswal said after getting his player-of-the-match award.
“This is an emotional moment for me, but it’s only the beginning.”
“Many people have helped me along the way. I’d like to thank everyone…I’d like to thank the team’s managers and leader for believing in me and letting me play.
Rohit said he never doubted Jaiswal’s ability and that he kept telling the rookie that he belonged at the test level while they were starting the innings together.
“We were aware of his skill. Rohit said, “He’s shown us over the past few years that he’s ready for this big stage.”
“He came to bat and did it smartly, with a lot of patience, and his temper was also tested.”
“In the middle, all we did was talk to him and tell him, ‘You belong here.'”
“That is the most important thing, because when you play your first test match, you keep wondering if you belong here or not.”