‘Ye game dimaag ka hai’: Yashasvi Jaiswal gives a glimpse of his mindset after demolishing KKR at Eden

Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed the fastest fifty in the hory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday, reaching the milestone in just 13 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The 20-year-old opener hit eight sixes and 13 fours in his unbeaten 98 off 47 balls as Rajasthan Royals chased down the target of 150 with nine wickets in hand and 41 balls to spare.

Fastest FIFTY in the IPL
Yashasvi Jaiswal brings up his half-century in just 13 deliveries 👏👏#TATAIPL #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/KXGhtAP2iy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2023
The Mumbai-born batter did not respect the KKR bowlers, hitting them all over the park. He was particularly lethal against KKR skipper Nitish Rana, smashing him for 26 runs in the first over and virtually sealing the deal then and there.
The 21-year-old, with 35 IPL games under his belt, wasn’t unfazed KKR’s tactic of starting with an off-spinner right at the start. “When I saw Nitish Rana come to deliver, I was not surprised, and I backed myself to score off him. I looked at the field and played calculated shots, and it paid off,” said Jaiswal in the post-match press conference.
Jaiswal’s innings against KKR will be remembered as one of the most destructive knocks in IPL hory. And the southpaw was mighty pleased with his effort in the middle.
“It was a memorable inning and quite an intense knock,” said Jaiswal.

150 runs chased down in just 13.1 overs. @rajasthanroyals have won this in a jiffy with Yashasvi Jaiswal smashing an incredible 98* from just 47 balls.
Scorecard – https://t.co/jOscjlr121 #TATAIPL #KKRvRR #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/2u0TiGPI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2023
“I wanted to play a long inning, and I am pleased it came in a winning cause. Over the past few games, I have been trying to finish off games for my team and stay till the end, and it worked out well today,” he said.
Jaiswal’s power-hitting saw the left-hander smash 13 fours and seven sixes. However, an untimely run-out in the second over was the only blemish in what was otherwise a perfect run chase from the Royals. But that galvanized Jaiswal to take up the responsibility and orchestrate the run-chase till the end.
“I made the wrong call, and Jos Buttler sacrificed his wicket, and I respect that. That was the moment I wanted to take the responsibility and decided to keep things in control,” he said before adding, “But at the same time, I also kept playing my shots without affecting the run rate.”
Jaiswal came close to equaling Yuvraj Singh’s record of a 12-ball half-century before flicking Shardul Thakur to deep square leg for a single to complete his fifty off 13 balls. Looking back at the moment, he said, “I was really excited, and when I raised my fifty on the 13th ball, I thought that maybe I had broken the record for the fastest fifty, but I was not sure. Only when I came off the field after winning the game was I told it was a record and I enjoyed it.”

This kid is special. Thoroughly enjoyed his clean striking. #YashasviJaiswal pic.twitter.com/x5H67eLSHe
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 11, 2023
Jaiswal’s fiery knock not only gave Rajasthan a much-needed win and put them back in contention for a playoff spot but also served as a timely reminder of how he can be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
But a lot of it depends on his preparedness.
“A lot of it depends on my preparation, how focused I am and disciplined I am with my fitness because after fielding for 20 overs, to go out there and bat with the same intensity, that needs a certain level of mental strength along with the physical aspect. I try to stick to my routine and keep learning from every game,” he explained.
Talking to experienced players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, and others has also helped Jaiswal develop his game. “Speaking to them helps me understand how to keep focused. Whenever I talk to them, I try to incorporate their words into my game and try to bring as much control as I can in my game. In the end, ye game dimaag ka hai aur phir physical hai (this game is about the mind and then the physical),” he signed off.