Follow UsBazball is on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now in Test cricket. It isn’t just a ‘catchy phrase’, it is a way of life for Ben Stokes’ England side, who have identified an aggressive method of the game that has helped them to immense success over the last two years.
It is something that also gave them success in this series, with a win in the first Test of the five-match series in Hyderabad, where they won against all odds. However, none of that concerns the Indian dressing room, with on-song opener Yashasvi Jaiswal clearly mentioning that the team doesn’t discuss Bazball.
“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,” Jaiswal told JioCinema in an exclusive interview.
Jaiswal’s partnership with Rohit Sharma has been rather refreshing at the top of the order, with the duo taking the opponents head-on.
“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,” Jaiswal said.
“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.”
At the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League, the image of an 18-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal meeting MS Dhoni for the first time. In that image, the youngster was seen doing ‘namaste’. Jaiswal recalled that moment, stating that he was very nervous and that namaste came out of complete respect.
“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,” Jaiswal looked back.
“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,” he added.
Jaiswal’s instant success at the international level has already got people to compare him with yesteryear stars such as Virender Sehwag but the southpaw only wants to be ‘Yashasvi Jaiswal’.
“I respect everyone, but I want to be a Yashasvi Jaiswal, always wanted to be a Yashasvi Jaiswal.”