How Yashasvi Jaiswal made a comeback: 500 throwdowns a day, facing 150 kmph deliveries on cement wickets after a chat with Suryakumar

In-form Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal moved from Mumbai to Talegoan in Nagpur, faced five hundred throwdowns a day, got hit facing 150 kmph deliveries on a cement pitch, batted on red-soil and black-soil pitches in his quest to make a comeback to the Playing XI after being dropped Rajasthan Royals last season. A chat with one of the best T20 batsmen and his Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav on the sidelines of an IPL game inspired Jaiswal to put his nose to the grindstone in an attempt to rediscover his touch.
“Ghasettha reh (keep working hard). Go back to the ground and keep following the process. It’s all a mind game,” Suryakumar is to have told him.
Jaiswal had made 258 runs in 10 games before being benched Rajasthan Royals. His numbers this season tell a different story —575 runs, one century, four fifties at a strike rate of 167.15. World-class Jos Buttler, his opening partner, gave up his wicket for Jaiswal during a mix-up in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders, a testament to how highly he is rated within Rajasthan Royals. Jaiswal repaid the faith scoring IPL’s fastest half-century in 13 balls, en route to an unbeaten 98 off 47 deliveries.

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
“Process is very important, how I prepare and what I’m telling myself is as well. The shot with which I won is what’s most pleasing because I’m learning to play till the end,” man of the match Jaiswal said.He had opted for an open-arms celebration and had scored the winning boundary off a full toss.
The hard work had paid off.
During the monsoons in Mumbai last year, Jaiswal moved to Nagpur’s Talegoan where RR has an academy. Along with RR strategy, development and performance director Zubin Bharucha, he underwent off-season training.

The very next day after the domestic season ended, Jaiswal moved to Talegaon. Jaiswal also expanded his scoring options.
“He didn’t want to get stuck in a situation where opponents could cut off run-scoring opportunities bowling wide on the off-side.
He is also willing to use his feet more, sweep more and is not averse to playing the switch hit,” said a source who closely followed Jaiswal’s progress in Talegoan.
In a recent chat with this newspaper, Jaiswal stressed the importance of doing things again and again.“I’m consent in whatever I do. I do not think about things that are not in my control. I’m aware every day won’t be the same in cricket. It’s about the process of doing the same thing again and again. Even if you do well, you must keep doing it again,” Jaiswal said.
Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal bats during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata, India, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Jaiswal has the words ‘trust and belief’ tattooed on Jaiswal’s forearm.
“I decided to get a permanent tattoo. For me, trust and belief in myself is very important. It keeps reminding me who I am and why I should always trust and believe in myself. These two words are very important in my life now,” he had said.
When he stepped out to hit a first-ball six against Kolkata Knight Riders captain Nitish Rana, a part-time spinner on Thursday, he believed in himself. He scored 26 runs off Rana’s first over.
His coach Jwala Singh and his early teammates, with whom he shared a tent at Azad Maidan, are often at the Wankhede. Jaiswal gets them the tickets. “He does tell us to be at the Wankhede if the team is playing in Mumbai. He has not changed,” said one of his early friends.
What has changed is his improved fluency in English.
Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates after their win in the Indian Premier League cricket match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, India, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
“Idhar (RR) pe sab English mein he bolte hain, toh bus mein bhi seekh gaya (In RR everyone talks in English, so I also had to learn),” he said.