India vs West Indies: "It's Just The Start, Want To Be Ready For Next Game" - Jaiswal After Maiden T20I Fifty

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Lauderhill (USA), August 13: Talented Indian youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal has said his unbeaten match-winning knock against West Indies on Saturday (August 12) was just the beginning and aims to be ready for the nexth match.

Jaiswal, who shined in the Test series last month, scored an unbeaten 84 off 51 balls to power India to a 9-wicket win series-levelling win over the West Indies at the Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

Ahead of the series decider that will take place at the same venue on Sunday (August 13), the young opener, who announced his arrival to international cricket with a Test hundred, said his maiden T20I fifty was special and it's always a proud moment to represent the national side.

"It's just the start. I want to keep doing and building on it. I'm happy today but I want to make sure that I'm ready for tomorrow also," Jaiswal told reporters after the fourth T20I.

"It (half-century) was really special, representing India is always a proud moment. Of course, there is a lot of thought and hard work behind it. I'm so blessed and grateful that I was able to express myself today and it went off well."

Jaiswal made his T20I debut earlier in the series, replacing Ishan Kishan to open alongside Shubman Gill. But the new opening pair failed in their first match (third of the series), managing just six runs together.

However, the duo showcased their ability by making lightwork of the run chase as their record-equalling opening stand ensured India reached the target of 179 with 18 balls to spare. Their knocks included 14 fours and 8 sixes.

Jaiswal and Gill (77 off 47 balls) equalled India's record-highest T20I opening partnership of 165, which was in the name of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The obvious question was whether it's the start of a new era?

"What they (Rohit and Rahul) have done is amazing. They are legends of the game. I just think that we just need to go and try doing what we can do. We have a long way to go," was Jaiswal's humble response.

The young opener, who had an excellent IPL 2023, said he's making the most of the opportunity of sharing the Indian dressing room with seniors like coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.

"We've an amazing bunch of seniors like Rohit bhaiya, Virat bhaiya, Hardik bhaiya, Surya bhaiya and Rahul sir. The way they talk, I make sure to listen to their experiences and how they carried themselves...

"I just try to gather as much information possible from their talks and put that in my game. I believe in my process a lot... if it would be right, the result will follow," Jaiswal said.

He further said that there's a lot of hard work and mental makeup behind his success at the highest level. "Of course, transition is all important. It's about how I am doing my practice, and how I am shifting my mind, it's all about mindset.

"I trust myself. I always believe that if I give everything it can happen. I just keep telling myself, to go out there and express myself. I just try to keep it really simple."

Asked what he does to motivate himself, Jaiswal said: "I just keep telling myself, I trust, I believe and I will do that. I need to eat well, sleep well. I really work hard on my fitness, diet, sleep and recovery. If my process is right, the results will come."

And his message to the youngsters is simple: "Believe and trust yourself. You need to work hard and stick to the process, keep fighting, always there will be hope and a chance. Keep telling yourself 'I can do this, I will do this'.

"It's about trusting your emotions, that makes a person really strong and keep doing it. Working hard is important because when pressure comes that will help you," Jaiswal concluded.

(With PTI inputs)