Jaiswal credits Rohit Sharma ahead of India debut: ‘We’ll prepare together’

When Yashasvi Jaiswal looks back on his international debut in the West Indies, the innings itself is only part of the story.

What stands out more vividly is the confidence and clarity he received from captain Rohit Sharma long before he stepped onto the field. “He spoke to me really well. He said a lot of things that gave me a lot of confidence,” Jaiswal recalled. “He kept telling me, ‘You’re free—go out there, play freely, play your shots with confidence. But if you get set, try to make it a big innings.’ There were many such conversations.”

That reassurance came well in advance of the match. As soon as the Indian team landed in the West Indies and began travelling to Dominica, Rohit made his plans clear. “Almost fifteen days before, he had already told me,” Jaiswal said. “He told me, ‘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.”

The early communication helped settle Jaiswal ahead of his first appearance for India. “The moment I found out that I was going to make my debut, it was very special for me,” he said. “I had never played for India before, and this was my first time.”

Jaiswal spoke with deep admiration about Rohit’s influence, both on and off the field. “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.”

Sharing the dressing room with senior players 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. He described himself as fortunate to observe their preparation and understand the seriousness with which they approach the game.

What left the strongest impression was the sense of responsibility instilled by the seniors. “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,” Jaiswal said. Those conversations—both spoken and unspoken—continue to guide Jaiswal, shaping how he views the game and his role in carrying Indian cricket forward.