Yashasvi Jaiswal, the 22-year-old opening batter for India, has become the talk of the cricketing world after his sensational century on Test debut against England in Chennai. Jaiswal scored 171 runs off 387 balls, breaking several records and earning praises from fans and experts alike. But his journey to the top has not been easy, as he had to overcome many hardships and challenges in his life.

Jaiswal was born in Suriyawan, Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, to a poor family. His father ran a small hardware store and could not afford to feed his six children. At the age of 10, Jaiswal decided to move to Mumbai to pursue his dream of playing cricket for India. He had no relatives or friends in the city, and had to live in a tent with the groundsmen at Azad Maidan, where he practiced cricket.

His talent was spotted by Jwala Singh, a cricket coach who ran an academy in Santacruz. Singh took Jaiswal under his wing and provided him with a place to stay and proper training. He also became his legal guardian and obtained his power of attorney. Under Singh’s guidance, Jaiswal started to shine in the domestic circuit, scoring runs and breaking records in school and age-group tournaments.

Jaiswal made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 2018, and soon became a regular member of the team. He also represented India under-19s in various tournaments, and was the leading run-scorer and player of the tournament in the 2018 Under-19 Asia Cup, which India won. In 2019, he became the youngest cricketer in the world to score a List A double century, when he smashed 203 runs off 154 balls against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Jaiswal’s performances caught the attention of the IPL franchises, and he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 2.4 crore in the 2020 auction. He made his IPL debut in 2020, and scored his maiden half-century in 2021. He also made his international debut in 2023, playing his first T20I against West Indies in August. He scored his first T20I century in January 2024, against Afghanistan.

Jaiswal’s biggest moment came when he was selected for the Test squad for the home series against England in February 2024. He was handed his Test cap by Rohit Sharma, who had predicted that Jaiswal would be the next superstar of Indian cricket in a viral video in 2020. Jaiswal did not disappoint, as he scored a magnificent 171 in his first innings, becoming the 17th Indian batter to score a century on Test debut. He also broke several records, such as the most balls faced, the highest score, and the first opener to score a century on Test debut in an overseas venue by an Indian.

Jaiswal’s century helped India to post a mammoth total of 603 for 6 declared, and take a lead of 378 runs over England. India then bowled out England for 193 in their second innings, and won the match by an innings and 185 runs. Jaiswal was named the player of the match for his outstanding knock.

Jaiswal’s story is an inspiration for many aspiring cricketers, who dream of representing their country at the highest level. He has shown that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anything is possible. He has also proved that he is not just a one-day wonder, but a versatile and consistent performer across formats. He has a bright future ahead of him, and has the potential to become one of the best batters in the world.

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