Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Reality of Selling ‘Pani Puri’ in Formative Years: Coach’s Report Says “Bit Stretched”

Jaiswal, a 22-year-old playing only his sixth Test, displayed a sensational performance by scoring 209 off 290 balls, leading India to 396 all out in 112 overs on the second day of the match. His knock, which included 19 fours and seven sixes, was the lone highlight in an otherwise below par batting effort by the home team. Even the opposition players walked up to congratulate him after his epic effort finally came to an end in the 107th over of the innings. Jaiswal also set a record as the second youngest Indian double centurion in Tests after Vinod Kambli.

He had previously scored 171 on his Test debut against the West Indies and an 80-run innings against England. His journey to success has been remarkable, as he moved to Mumbai at the age of 11 to train at Azad Maidan, supporting himself by doing odd jobs including selling paani puri. While this anecdote about selling paani puri has gained attention, his formative coach has emphasized that it is a bit stretched and that Jaiswal lived at his house for the better part of his formative years. Despite the urban myth surrounding his early struggles, Jaiswal’s exceptional performance in the Under-19 World Cup in 2020 and in T20Is for India has solidified his rise to prominence in cricket.