Yashasvi Jaiswal is the cricketer he is now not because he ever “sold panipuris” at Azad Maidan, but because of his pure hard effort, according to his childhood coach Jwala Singh.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is not the cricketer he is because he once “sold panipuris” at Azad Maidan, but because of his pure hard effort that has propelled him to national prominence, according to his childhood coach Jwala Singh, who is sick of the emotional tale. Jaiswal, who hit 124 off 62 balls against the Mumbai Indians, is almost set to join the Indian squad for the five-match T20I series in the West Indies and the United States in late June/early July.
Despite his outstanding performances in the previous two seasons, the story that he had to sell panipuris to make ends meet in Mumbai has always gone viral on social media.
His coach, Jwala, who took Jaiswal under his wing in 2013 and had him stay at his home, is irritated when this story takes precedence over his cricketing exploits.
“I don’t like the story (of selling panipuri), but he’s playing cricket because of his hard work,” Jwala told PTI in an interview on Monday.
In fact, he did clarify the urban legend, which is gaining traction by the day.
“Many sellers set up their stalls near the Azad Maidan. Sometimes when he was free in the evenings, he used to help them a bit. He did not set up a stall himself. It is not that he sold panipuris and went on to play for India,” Jwala was dismissive of the entire “sob story.”
In truth, the words of Jaiswal’s father, Bhupendra, still ring in Jwala’s ears.
“On December 25, 2013, I visited his father, who informed me that I had made a God-like intervention in their lives. “Aap isse jhaadu lagwao, pocha karwao, Bas isko apne sath rakhna aur cricketer banana.”
“Because I had a stable life in Mumbai, I treated him like my own son, and there hasn’t been any incident where he would have had to struggle since 2013. I got him his first bat contract worth Rs 40,000.”
“I got him the bats that international players use.” After 2013, there is no poverty angle here. Whatever was was prior to 2013. Because of these stories, both he and I feel angry at times.” Jwala had actually sent Jasiwal to England to improve his technique.
“Everything I did was based on that trust.” In fact, I sent him to England on my own dime. I dealt with him as a father rather than as a coach.
“I feel that (panipuri) is an unnecessary discussion. Whenever someone starts his career, there is some angle of poverty, even I had. I sold newspapers, slept on the train. But when I met Yashasvi, I did not even ask him any of it. I don’t want to make fun of anyone’s poverty. Now it feels nice that he “sold panipuri and played for India,” but back then the same statements would have upset him.”
“A lot of photos have also gone viral. Him standing at a stall, we had a shoot (with a broadcaster and a private news channel) and they requested me to make him show how he sells panipuri. In a light mood, I told him, “khade ho ja, kar de,” but his father has never been here in Mumbai or sold panipuri.”
“His story is purely of hard work, using facilities to become a cricketer and of proper planning. I planned for him and he executed. I feel this should be talked about more and not the poverty angle.” When players of stature of Kumar Sangakkara and Trent Boult lauding his talent and India skipper Rohit Sharma showering accolades, the India call-up in shortest format might not be far away but the childhood coach has full faith in national selection panel’s judgement.
“He has performed well since the U-19 level; many players, such as Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, were selected one or two years after their U-19 World Cup. It (his selection) may have been delayed due to COVID-19, but as a player, you cannot decide what you should get.”
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“The Indian team selectors and team think-tank are smarter than us; they know each player’s abilities and what the team needs,” Jwala added.
“As his coach, I can only say that if he dominates some big international bowlers in the IPL, he will face the same bowlers in international games.” It demonstrates that he is prepared to play, but when he would, we must leave it to the selectors and the team’s think tank,” he said.
