From selling street food to dazzling India debut, Jaiswal scripts rags-to-riches story

It was a stellar display by the 21-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, who moved to Mumbai when he was 12. There he would sell ‘pani-puri’, a traditional Indian snack, for pocket money and sleep in tents until a coach took him under his wing.

From selling street food in Mumbai to winning the player-of-the-match award in his test debut in Roseau, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is international cricket's latest rags-to-riches story.

India thumped West Indies by an innings and 141 runs inside three days, a victory set up by Jaiswal's 171, which helped the visitors rack up 421-5 before they declared their innings.

It was a stellar display by the 21-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, who moved to Mumbai when he was 12. There he would sell 'pani-puri', a traditional Indian snack, for pocket money and sleep in tents until a coach took him under his wing.

The left-handed batsman has impressed in domestic cricket and was adjudged player-of-the-tournament in the Under-19 World Cup in 2020 after which Rajasthan Royals splashed out ₹24 million ($292,508) to sign him for the Indian Premier League.

"I used to think about playing for my country when I was young," Jaiswal said after collecting his player-of-the-match award.

"Emotional moment for me but this is just the start."

"A lot of people have helped me in this journey. I want to thank each and everyone...I want to thank the selectors and captain for showing faith and allowing me to express."