Yashasvi Jaiswal: Will always remember two important tips from MS Dhoni after my first encounter

Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal dazzled with a double century in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam to display his talent to the world. Jaiswal played a marathon knock of 209 runs and stood like a wall against the English bowling line-up as no other batter could reach the 40-run mark in that innings.

The left-handed batter from Mumbai shared insights on various aspects of his cricketing journey and mindset in an interview with JioCinema on the eve of the third Test.

Reflecting on his monumental knock in Vizag, Jaiswal maintained that each innings holds its significance and joy, emphasising the unique satisfaction derived from every performance.

On where he ranks the double century in the second Test amongst all his knocks, the 22-year-old said, "Every innings has its own satisfaction, there's a different fun to each one of them, so every time I score runs, I enjoy it."

Recounting the celebration with his family, he revealed a pre-planned celebration style he had envisioned for achieving a double century, which made the moment even more special.

"We spent some time, ate and drank together, this was a moment that needed to be savoured. I had a dream that whenever I score a double century, I would celebrate it in a particular style. So, the way I celebrated, I had planned it in my mind for a long time," he added further.

Anticipating the challenges of a five-Test series, Jaiswal expressed enthusiasm for the learning opportunities it presents, stressing the importance of adapting to different conditions and continuously improving his game. He credited his seniors for valuable guidance and highlighted the significance of maintaining a positive mindset across formats.

"I was very excited to know that it's a five-match series. You'd have to go through different phases. Sometimes things will look smooth, sometimes they will get tough, so I was going to get a lot to learn. I would get more time to spend with the team and enjoy a lot, so that's how I looked at it. I have really enjoyed the journey from West Indies to South Africa and back to India. So, there's been a lot to learn and I am really enjoying it," Jaiswal said.

Addressing the 'Bazball' buzz and the coined term 'Jazball' for his stellar performances, Jaiswal embraced the recognition with humility, asserting his pride in his surname. He dismissed any on-field exchanges with James Anderson during the second Test, emphasizing his focus on respecting good deliveries and capitalizing on loose ones.

"We don't discuss it (Bazball). We just focus on what we can do, what processes we should follow, and how we can contribute to our team in fielding, keeping the ball shining, encouraging each other, and maintaining a positive environment."

On 'Jazball', he said, "I accept whatever name is given to me with love. But, Jaiswal is my surname and I would be happy that people call me Jaiswal."

Sharing camaraderie with teammate Shubman Gill, Jaiswal acknowledged the guidance received from the seasoned player, emphasizing the enjoyable learning experience. He credited the team management for granting him the freedom to express himself while batting, balanced with the responsibility of building innings.

"I enjoy a lot with Shubman bhai. We talk to each other a lot. We speak about cricket, friendship and life in general. He is my senior and he gives me good advice. He has the experience, he has been playing for India for a while. It's just wonderful for me to have him around and I am really having a good time with him," he added further.

On his relationship with Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal expressed admiration and gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside the senior player, highlighting the enriching learning experience.

"It's an honour and pleasure to play with him. Walking out with him to the middle, sharing experiences and enjoying the tough times with him has been nice. There's a lot I am learning from him. It's really comfortable going up to him and asking a question. Even if the question is bad, he still gives good advice. Sometimes when you have a lot of questions in your mind, going up to him and getting his advice is really nice," the fellow Mumbaikar added.

Reflecting on his first encounter with MS Dhoni, he recalled a respectful gesture and valuable advice received from the cricketing legend, underscoring the importance of character beyond the game.

"I was really happy when I saw him for the first time and did a namaste. I really didn't know what to speak to him about, how to react and that namaste was out of respect to him as an elder. I think I was at my most nervous in that match, which was my first-ever IPL game. Dhoni Sir was keeping so that was a very nice moment. That image is one of the best of my life and will remain with me."

"I spoke to him after the match and he told me two important things. Cricket is fine, but the kind of human being you become will define your life. So how I am outside cricket, matters a lot to me. Of course, I make mistakes, but I also learn a lot from them. I am always striving to be a good person. The other thing he told me about was back my shots. He suggested I execute my best shots when I come under pressure. So that's something I am always looking around for."

While Jaiswal expressed an interest in bowling, he remained focused on maximizing batting opportunities for now. Addressing comparisons to cricketing legends like Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly, he emphasized his desire to carve his own identity, aspiring to be the best version of himself.

On the comparisons to legends like Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly, Jaiswal said, "I respect everyone, but I want to be a Yashasvi Jaiswal, always wanted to be a Yashasvi Jaiswal."

With his talent, humility, and determination, Jaiswal continues to shine as a promising prospect for Indian cricket, poised to make significant contributions in the future.