Exclusive: AUS vs IND - How Yashasvi Jaiswal's Coach Boosted His Confidence Before Perth Ton

Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the Perth Test at Optus Stadium, scoring 161 runs off 297 balls and batting Australia out of the match. After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, he occupied the crease for an impressive 432 minutes in the second innings, showing remarkable restraint by leaving many balls.

In the first innings, Jaiswal was caught at gully after he attempted an early drive against Mitchell Starc. His aggressive approach made his coach and mentor, Jwala Singh, anxious as he watched from home.

An email from coach before second innings

In an email to Jaiswal, Singh advised him to be cautious. "I sent him a short email after he was out for 0 in the first innings. I told him not to play his shots too early and to avoid the front-foot drive or back-foot punch early in his innings. I emphasised the importance of staying calm, holding on to his wicket, and only hitting loose balls. He played well after that, and my advice has generally worked, so I provide him with such inputs," Singh shared with Sportsboom.com after India's 295-run victory over Australia.

Singh chose not to call or message Jaiswal during his maiden Australia tour. "I don't want to disturb players while they are on tour. Besides, he has matured as a player with guidance from legendary cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of Team India. It’s a collective team effort that helps him improve with each match," he added.

How Jaiswal grew in confidence

Jaiswal not only scored heavily but also engaged in some sledging, commenting to Starc that his deliveries were "too slow." He even teased Marnus Labuschagne to run him out while stitching the big knock.

Singh noted that Jaiswal had absorbed the street-smart essence of Mumbai cricket and benefitted from the emotional support he provided during his early development. "He wasn’t as confident when he was younger. He was insecure and scared. I wanted him to grow, as I also came to Mumbai to pursue cricket in the 1990s. I faced hardships and didn’t always have enough to eat before starting my coaching career," Singh explained.

Jaiswal lived with Singh, who ensured he didn't have to worry about finances, allowing him to focus entirely on cricket. "I wanted him to avoid the mental stress that I experienced while dreaming of playing for India. I tried to make him comfortable, never letting him feel the weight of his humble background. Whenever he went on tours, I would give him my credit and debit cards, encouraging him to spend freely. I wanted him to act like a leader without financial worries. I made him practice batting for two or three hours, helping him build confidence, and that's how he started believing that he was coming from a good background with no insecurity," Singh recalled.

In just 15 Tests, Jaiswal has already scored four daddy hundreds and eight fifties. "Since childhood, he has exchanged ideas with legends like Wasim Jaffer and Dilip Vengsarkar, all of whom have guided him. Having access to such mentorship at a young age creates a comfort zone and builds confidence. He also received strong support from the Mumbai Cricket Association, which has contributed to his growth.

"This level of performance doesn't happen overnight. It requires hard work and faith in the process. People say that if you perform well in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), you'll be regarded as one of the best. He has proven that in Australia," Singh, who has been a father figure to Jaiswal, reasoned.