Yashasvi Jaiswal has been gaining recognition and his reputation has been on the rise in recent times. After an impressive season in the Ranji Trophy last year, the left-handed batsman made a significant impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Jaiswal scored 625 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.61. His performances included one century and five half-centuries. This outstanding display earned him a spot in India’s squad for the World Test Championship (2023) Final against Australia as a stand-by player. He was then included in the 16-member Test squad for the upcoming tour of West Indies, starting on July 12.
While the Suriyawan-born has impressed with his temperament and skill, there was an incident during the Duleep Trophy last season where he lost his cool. During the final match between West Zone and South Zone, on the fifth day, controversy arose in the first session. West Zone captain Ajinkya Rahane sent Jaiswal away from the field due to disciplinary issues.
Jaiswal had received a warning from the umpires regarding sledging Ravi Teja, but he continued to engage in a heated argument with Teja during the match. Rahane intervened to calm the situation and tried to settle Jaiswal down, but the young player persisted with his sledging. As a result, he was eventually sent off the field by the captain.
Batter Ravi Teja was having some issues with Yashasvi Jaiswal, so after warning him first and seeing it still happen, Captain Ajinkya Rahane tells his own teammate to leave the field!pic.twitter.com/R1sPozKFjF
— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) September 25, 2022
Jaiswal, reflecting on the incident, mentioned that he didn’t say anything excessively inappropriate. He also acknowledged that there is some aggression within him that occasionally comes to the fore.
“Now what is the use of talking about things that have already happened. Aggression is important and I am aggressive mentally. Sometimes that comes out I guess. But I hadn’t said anything big at the time but it’s ok, things happen. What is the use of talking about it then. I don’t want to say anything. I would rather keep it with me, absorb it like a sponge. When I need to squeeze it, I will,” Jaiswal was quoted as saying to Lallantop.
According to the southpaw, sledging is quite common irrespective of what level of cricket is being played. He also said it happens to every cricketer.
“Who says that, it happens to everyone. No one really comes to know about it. It depends upon who is saying what. Bhai mereko koi mere maa behen ke baare me bolega, thodi sununga (If someone says things about my mother or my sister, I won’t tolerate it),” the 21-year-old concluded.
Speaking of Team India, after their loss in the WTC 2023 final to Australia in June, they are enjoying a well-deserved break. Rohit Sharma & Co. will soon resume its cricketing activities with a two-match Test series against the West Indies, which will mark the beginning of their 2023-2025 WTC cycle.
The first Test of the series is scheduled to start on July 12 in Roseau, Dominica. The second Test will take place in Port of Spain from July 20.
The Test matches will be followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
This series against the West Indies will be an important opportunity for the Indian team to regroup and start their new WTC cycle on a positive note. They will be looking to bounce back and perform well in both the Tests and the limited-overs fixtures.
