NEW DELHI: India’s new opening pair in cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, are rising stars who prefer to focus on their process rather than the high expectations following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20 Internationals. Jaiswal believes that concentrating on each game and stage of their careers is crucial.
Kohli and Sharma, legends in Indian cricket, left a significant legacy that Jaiswal feels fortunate to have witnessed and been part of. Jaiswal expressed his gratitude for his experiences with them and aims to learn from their successes.
“I think what they have done for Indian cricket is just incredible and being a part of that dressing room is a blessing. We (him and Gill) are trying to take it match-by-match and one day at a time, focusing on the process,” Jaiswal was quoted as saying by PTI during a media interaction.
Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 93 runs and added an unbeaten 156-run stand with Gill, leading India to a 10-wicket victory against Zimbabwe on Saturday. Jaiswal appreciated the mentorship he received from seasoned players like Kohli and Sharma.
“It does help to control emotions a lot and read the game better as there are different situations on the ground. And every time you talk to Rohit bhai or Virat bhaiyya, I get a lot of experience, enjoy talking to them and learning from them,” he added.
Contrary to many young cricketers who start with T20 formats and then move to longer formats, Jaiswal began his career as a Test opener before excelling in T20s. He believes this route improved his skills and game sense significantly.
Jaiswal, known for his range of shots, attributes his achievements to thorough practice and a determined mindset.
“I think it’s not easy and I work hard on my practice, try to prepare a lot, and try to execute and express myself and enjoy the game. My mindset is simple. If I have to take someone (a bowler) on, I will take him on and keep believing that I can do it,” said the 22-year-old, who has scored 631 runs at a strike rate of over 161 in 19 T20Is.
Reflecting on his rapid rise in cricket, Jaiswal remains humble and philosophical.
“To be honest, a lot of things happened in my life. I am really enjoying it. I just try to take one day at a time and make sure I enjoy the moment which is very important. Everything else is in God’s hands and whatever he gives, I will take it,” he concluded.
The promising future for Jaiswal and Gill seems bright as they build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors, by embracing each moment and continuously learning from their experiences.
