For Yashasvi Jaiswal, the memories of his India debut in the West Indies extend far beyond the runs he scored. What has stayed with him most clearly is the calm assurance he received from Rohit Sharma long before he stepped onto the field. Speaking in an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, Jaiswal explained how Rohit’s conversations helped him feel settled and confident ahead of his first Test. “He spoke to me really well. He said a lot of things that gave me a lot of confidence,” Jaiswal said. “He kept telling me, ‘You’re free—go out there, play freely, play your shots with confidence. But try that if you get set, then make it a big innings.’ So there were many such conversations.”
What stood out was how early Rohit made his intentions clear. As the Indian squad travelled to Dominica, the captain ensured Jaiswal knew his role well in advance. “Almost fifteen days before, he had already told me,” Jaiswal recalled during the interview. “He said, ‘I won’t tell you just one day before that you’re playing. I’m telling you fifteen days in advance—you’re going to play. Prepare yourself. We’ll prepare together, and we’ll do it properly.’ That was his thought process.” That clarity helped Jaiswal absorb the moment without panic. “So the moment I found out that I was going to make my debut, it was a very special moment for me,” he said. “I had never played for India before, and this was my first time.” The preparation showed on the field. At just 21, Jaiswal marked his Test debut at Roseau with a remarkable 171 against the West Indies, displaying patience, control and maturity. Two years on, he has made an impressive start to his Test career, featuring in 28 matches and scoring 2,511 runs at an average of 49.23. Jaiswal also spoke with deep admiration for Rohit’s role beyond tactics and selection. “What can I even say about Rohit bhai? I honestly don’t have words for him,” he said. “What a person he is. What a guy. He’s like an elder brother—he teaches you, he inspires you.” Being part of a dressing room that included senior figures only added to the experience. “It’s a dream for so many people to play alongside Rohit bhai, Virat paaji, Hardik bhai,” Jaiswal said, referring to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. Above all, he highlighted the values passed down by the senior players. “They teach us that this is Indian cricket and that we must take care of it, carry it forward, and give our best in our own way,” he said. Looking back, Jaiswal’s debut was not just about a memorable hundred. It was shaped by early trust, careful preparation and leadership that allowed a young batter to walk out with clarity rather than fear.
