Ajit Agarkar’s Bold Call: The Man Who Backed Yashasvi Jaiswal When No One Else Did


Introduction: The Rise of a Future Legend

In the modern cricketing era, where talent is abundant but patience is scarce, one player has defied the odds and risen through pure grit, skill, and conviction — Yashasvi Jaiswal. At just 23, the left-handed prodigy has already carved a niche among the game’s elite with Test centuries in the West Indies, Australia, and now England.

But behind every great player’s rise is a visionary who believed when others doubted. In Jaiswal’s case, that person is Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors. As revealed by Sanjay Manjrekar, when selectors and experts were hesitant about Jaiswal’s overseas credentials, it was Agarkar who silenced the noise and doubled down on his faith in the young batter.


Ajit Agarkar’s Bold Faith Amid Criticism

Before the England tour began, the debate around India’s new-age batting lineup intensified. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma unavailable, critics questioned if youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal could carry the weight of India’s batting.

Sanjay Manjrekar recently highlighted this divide:

“They spoke of technique, temperament, the Dukes ball… but Ajit Agarkar shut the outside noise and backed Jaiswal to the hilt,” he said on air.

Agarkar not only included Jaiswal in the squad but reportedly pushed for him to open in challenging SENA conditions, a decision now hailed as “visionary.”


Jaiswal’s Incredible Stats Since Debut

Jaiswal’s numbers speak louder than any critic.

Series/OpponentMatches100sRunsAverage
West Indies (2023)2126688.67
Australia (2025)2123157.75
England (2024-25)6376376.30

5 Test centuries
Centuries in West Indies, Australia, and England
Over 1,200 runs in less than 2 years


England Masterclass: Jaiswal’s 101 at Leeds

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal

In the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Headingley, Leeds, Jaiswal showcased a mix of fearless stroke-play and strategic caution. His century came under overcast skies with swing, seam, and expectations all stacked against him.

Jaiswal’s Day 1 Batting Highlights:

ScoreBalls FacedFoursStrike RateSession
1011441670.1Day 1

He became the first Indian to score centuries on debut in England and Australia, a record even legends like Tendulkar, Kohli, and Dravid don’t own.


Why Agarkar’s Support Mattered

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal

Selectors play a huge but often thankless role in shaping careers. While others doubted Jaiswal’s readiness for foreign conditions:

  • Agarkar saw maturity beyond age
  • Valued domestic red-ball consistency
  • Supported continuity over reputation

This contrasts with previous BCCI regimes, where form was often overlooked for seniority.

Selection Moments That Defined Agarkar’s Trust:

TimelineDecisionOutcome
WI Series 2023Handed Test debut171 on debut
Aus Tour 2025Retained despite calls for rotation161 at Perth (MOTM)
Eng Tour 2025Picked to open in away conditions101 in first Test at Leeds

The Role of Jwala Singh and Jaiswal’s Journey

Credit must also go to Jwala Singh, Jaiswal’s childhood coach who discovered him living in a tent at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Along with his father, Singh laid the foundation for what is now India’s next Fab Four contender.

From cleaning utensils for food to wearing the India jersey, Jaiswal’s journey has the makings of a movie — but it was made real by grit, not glamour.


Yashasvi Jaiswal Test Century Timeline

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Test Century No.OpponentVenueYearScoreNotable Milestone
1West IndiesDominica2023171Century on Test debut
2AustraliaPerth2025161First century in Australia
3EnglandRajkot2024209Maiden double century
4EnglandRanchi2024104Helped India seal the series
5EnglandLeeds2025101First Test in England – debut century

Indian Batters Who Scored Centuries in England and Australia on Debut

PlayerCentury on Aus DebutCentury on Eng DebutNotes
Yashasvi Jaiswal✅ Yes (161 at Perth)✅ Yes (101 at Leeds)First ever to achieve this milestone
Sachin Tendulkar❌ No❌ No2nd & 3rd attempt respectively
Virat Kohli❌ No❌ NoTook multiple innings
Rahul Dravid❌ No❌ NoCentury came later in careers

Ajit Agarkar’s Key Selection Decisions for Jaiswal

SeriesSelection MoveOutcome
WI Series 2023Included Jaiswal for debutScored 171 – Player of the Match
Home vs England 2024Retained him despite form dipScored 209, 104 in back-to-back Tests
Aus Tour 2025Backed to open ahead of senior optionsScored 161 in Perth
Eng Tour 2025Trusted in opening slot overseasScored 101 in Leeds

Yashasvi Jaiswal Career Test Stats (as of June 2025)

MetricValue
Matches Played14
Test Runs1,456
Centuries5
Half-Centuries4
Highest Score209
Average66.18
100s in SENA Countries2 (Aus, Eng)

People Behind Jaiswal’s Rise

NameRoleContribution
Jwala SinghPersonal CoachTrained Jaiswal from childhood, mentor
Ajit AgarkarSelector (BCCI)Backed Jaiswal in key overseas series
Yashasvi’s FatherFamily SupportEmotional and moral backbone

Why Jaiswal Is India’s Biggest Batting Hope Now

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal

With Kohli and Rohit nearing the end of their red-ball careers, India is scouting for future Test pillars. Jaiswal fits the bill because:

  • He’s technically sound against pace and spin
  • Possesses a big-match temperament
  • Already has overseas experience and success
  • Can play both anchor and aggressor roles

Key Strengths of Yashasvi Jaiswal:

AttributeRating (/10)Comments
Technique9.0Especially strong vs pace and swing
Temperament9.5Proven under pressure away from home
Stroke Play8.5Elegant and fearless
Adaptability9.0Has delivered in multiple conditions
Fitness8.0Has shown great endurance in innings

Conclusion: When Faith Meets Performance

Jaiswal’s innings at Leeds isn’t just about a hundred — it’s a testament to the power of belief, both self-belief and the trust placed in him by others like Ajit Agarkar. In a cricket ecosystem quick to write players off, Agarkar’s decision to back Jaiswal has now aged like fine wine.

From a boy sleeping in tents to India’s overseas hero — Jaiswal’s journey is far from over, but the foundation is solid. And behind it stands not just talent, but trust.


Read More: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ajit-agarkar-shut-outside-noise-showed-faith-in-yashasvi-jaiswal-when-everyone-else-turned-a-blind-eye-they-spoke-101750434899905.html

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