Table of Contents
- From Streets to Test Centuries
- What Are ‘Daddy Hundreds’—And Why They Matter
- Why Jaiswal Looks Up to Abhishek Sharma
- The Art of Converting Starts into Big Scores
- Behind the Scenes: Sacrifice and Discipline
- Sources
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Meteoric Rise in Test Cricket
At just 23, Yashasvi Jaiswal isn’t just scoring runs—he’s redefining what it means to be a modern Indian opener. With back-to-back Test centuries against top-tier opposition and a strike rate that blends aggression with classical technique, Jaiswal has become the talk of the cricketing world.
But what truly sets him apart isn’t just the runs—it’s how he’s scoring them. “I don’t want fifties,” Jaiswal recently said in an interview. “I want daddy hundreds.”
What Are ‘Daddy Hundreds’—And Why They Matter
In cricket parlance, a “daddy hundred” refers to a score of 150 or more. It’s not just about personal glory—it’s about dominating bowling attacks, shifting momentum, and laying the foundation for match-winning totals.
Jaiswal’s ability to push past the 100-run mark and keep going has drawn praise from legends like Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman. “He doesn’t settle,” Gavaskar noted. “He hunts.”
‘Like Abhishek Sharma’: Jaiswal’s Unlikely Role Model
Surprisingly, Jaiswal credits not a Test great—but fellow young gun Abhishek Sharma—as a key influence. “The way Abhishek plays fearlessly in domestic cricket, especially in the Ranji Trophy, inspires me,” Jaiswal revealed.
Though Abhishek is known more for his explosive white-ball batting, his recent 200+ Ranji scores have shown remarkable maturity. Jaiswal sees in him a kindred spirit: self-made, aggressive, and unafraid to back his talent.
Mastering the Fifty-to-Ton Leap
Many young batters get stuck in the “80s trap.” Not Jaiswal. His conversion rate is elite:
| Player | Test Fifties | Test Hundreds | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal (as of Oct 2025) | 5 | 4 | 80% |
| Average Indian Opener (last decade) | — | — | ~45% |
This ability to turn starts into massive scores shows mental strength—and a hunger that goes beyond statistics.
The Real Story: Sacrifice Behind the Success
Long before the limelight, Jaiswal slept in tents at Azad Maidan, sold pani puri to fund his cricket gear, and trained before dawn. That hunger never left him.
“People see the cover drives,” he said. “They don’t see the 6 a.m. net sessions after a night flight, or skipping parties to ice my knees.”
His coach, Jwala Singh, calls him “the most disciplined kid I’ve ever worked with.” Even during IPL breaks, Jaiswal practices red-ball shots—keeping his Test focus razor-sharp.
With the World Test Championship cycle heating up, India’s future at the top of the order looks brighter than ever—thanks to a young man who refuses to settle for anything less than greatness.
Sources
Times of India: ‘Like Abhishek Sharma’: Yashasvi Jaiswal on his path to ‘daddy hundreds’