Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal returns to the dressing room with a standing ovation
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s story has been an inspirational one. From staying in a tent, selling panipuri and later going on to play for India has been the story told of a journey whenever he does well in domestic cricket.
On Friday, he carried his bat through the day to be 143 not out on debut. He and Rohit moved their opening partnership from 80 overnight to 229. Even so, India crawled to stumps on 312-2. Virat Kohli was with Jaiswal at 36 not out.
After the end of the day’s play, Jaiswal received a standing ovation from his teammates and coaching staff, once he entered the dressing room.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ishan Kishan hugged the young opener whilst Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma patted him on the back to appreciate his marathon performance.
A special Debut ✨A special century 💯A special reception in the dressing room 🤗A special mention Yashasvi Jaiswal 👌🏻A special pat on the back at the end of it all 👏🏻#TeamIndia | #WIvIND | @ybj_19 pic.twitter.com/yMzLYaJUvR
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2023
“Rohit bhaiya kept pushing me, he kept talking to me during our partnership. He was telling me how to play on this wicket what are the areas I can target,” Jaiswal told reporters after days play.
“Before the game as well, he kept telling me ‘you have to do it, you are the only person.’ I was also thinking about what he has said and I was preparing myslef mentally. I have learnt a lot from this game so far and will try to keep this for the future,” added Jaiswal, who put on 229-run opening stand with skipper Rohit Sharma (103).
Getting such a reception is something the youngster has always dreamt of. There have been nights when he would lie in bed and visualise himself in Indian whites, raising both his hands, acknowledging the applause of the crowd.
Before leaving for the Caribbean, he told The Indian Express: “This is a moment I have been dreaming all my life”.
Jaiswal became the 17th Indian man to score a test century on debut, matching Rohit, who was the 14th in 2013.
From the 215th ball he faced, Jaiswal paddle-swept a single to fine leg off Athanaze and celebrated exuberantly, raising his arms and leaping to punch the air.
