Yashasvi Jaiswal's scintillating adieu to Jaipur has Royals and Team India joyous

As Yashasvi Jaiswal tore into the Mumbai Indians (MI) in front of a packed house in Jaipur one final time in IPL 2024, one couldn't help the adage of 'Sports is more about narratives and less about box score' crossing the mind.

Here is a cricketer who has seen the most soaring of highs and lowest of lows in just the past three months at the tender age of 22. Jaiswal had the cricketing universe on his feet when he broke records for fun in the England Test series leading up to the 2024 IPL.

It was an exclamation point on what had been a debut international season from Dreamland. While most Indian batters construct their innings without undue risks, with Jaiswal, it was always a Sehwag-esque destruction of the opponents.

Yet, with this method comes the risk of a string of low scores, and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener endured just that to start the IPL season. Living up to the expectations of scoring freely and being consistent while trying to cement a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup saw Jaiswal finally flinch.

And of course, as is always the case in sports, the narrative on the youngster shifted immediately from adoration to condemnation. Yet, with time potentially running out on selection to the T20 World Cup squad, Jaiswal proved again why he is cut from a different cloth.

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Yashasvi Jaiswal's night out at Jaipur - Classic 'Kill two birds with one stone'

In the forefront of headscratchers from the first half of IPL 2024 was Yashasvi Jaiswal's freefall from the soaring high at the end of the England Test series to stunning lows.

Several fans and experts felt the burden of living up to the standards he set last season when he amassed 625 runs was getting to him. Others thought it was a batter playing with one eye on the T20 World Cup squad.

One hundred twenty-one runs in seven games at an average of under 18 for Jaiswal was incomprehensible. Yet, the turnaround finally came and the fact that it manifested against his state side, Mumbai, was poetic justice.

The 22-year-old looked determined and assured from the word go, bullying the hapless MI attack to score a scintillating 60-ball 104. If his maiden IPL century against the same opponent last year was the appetizer, this was the main dish. And how the whole of India will wish the dessert is the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Jaiswal's century had RR fans breathing a sigh of relief, Team India supporters jumping in joy and the national selectors possibly booking his flight ticket for the showpiece event.

Before the MI clash, Jaiswal's childhood coach Jwala Singh made an interesting suggestion to Mid Day for the youngster to rediscover his form.

"When he plays MI [Monday], Rohit will be there. And there is a possibility of Rohit speaking to him. If he has a conversation with Rohit, he will feel mentally better. Very soon there is the T20 World Cup. [Indian] team management also want Yashasvi to perform well," said Jwala.

While Jaiswal may not have spoken to Rohit Sharma before the match, the duo were spotted chatting post-game. And despite being at the receiving end of an onslaught, Rohit was all smiles. He knows an in-form Jaiswal makes his life so much easier as the Indian skipper in the T20 World Cup.

The nine sumptuous boundaries and seven towering maximums were evidence the temporarily lost swag was back. Now, it is onwards and upwards as a rejuvenated Yashasvi Jaiswal makes up for lost time and rescripts the narratives back in his favor.

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Jaiswal's Resurgence - Final Piece to RR's Magic Cube?

[Credit: IPL Twitter handle]

Even with Yashasvi Jaiswal searching for a big score, RR was finding ways to win games from numerous unique situations.

Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag have been in sparkling form from the season opener against LSG. Jos Buttler found his keys to the kingdom with a magnificent century against RCB, followed by an even better one in the thrilling run-chase against KKR.

The West Indian duo of Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell answered the bell whenever called for. And the bowlers took turns to produce telling contributions at different stages of the first half of IPL 2024.

Now, they waited for Jaiswal to join the party and fill in the lone blank, completing RR's puzzle. The unbeaten century against MI may have done just that as Jaiswal looks to unlock himself for the stretch run at the business end of the tournament.

He was visibly relieved at the post-match presentation and thanked the support from the entire team during this phase.

"I’m not thinking much. I want to thank all my seniors the way they have guided me. I want to thank the Rajasthan Royals management and especially Sanga sir and Sanju bhai for giving me opportunities. I go out and give my best in the practice sessions and I’m so happy today," said Jaiswal to the broadcasters.

As the relief slowly turns into revenge, the other nine teams will be on a 'Jaiswal' alert for the rest of IPL 2024.

Along the way, RR also scripted a remarkable turnaround at home from a season ago when they won only one of their five games at Jaipur. This time, the side emerged victorious in all but one of their five encounters at home.

With one leg almost into the playoffs, RR would look to guard against complacency and complete the mission of bringing the trophy home for a second time in franchise history.

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Sandeep Sharma, RR's unsung MVP, shouldn't be forgotten amid the Jaiswal storm

One of the most baffling discussions during the IPL is Sandeep Sharma getting no mention when pondering India's pace-bowling options for the T20 World Cup. Is it because of his unassuming nature or the lack of an exciting element in his bowling?

One look at his numbers and impact this season and even the last should have him right in the thick of things for a spot in the Indian squad. While his overall exploits with 6 wickets at an average of 12.66 in three outings make for terrific reading, one has to dig deeper to discover his impact on RR's wins.

In their season opener, RR were in trouble with LSG requiring a managable 65 off the final six overs with a well-set KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran at the crease. Yet, Sandeep began his bowling stint from the following over and did a complete 'shut-down' job at the death with figures of 1/22 in 3 overs as RR completed a 20-run victory.

The script was similar in RR's next fixture against DC, with the Capitals needing 97 off 60 with eight wickets in hand on a batting paradise. In came Sandeep again to deliver a death-bowling masterclass of 0/21 in 3 overs to effectively seal the game before an expensive final over of 15 runs.

The 30-year-old missed the next five games due to injury and while RR won four in that, they endured several shaky moments, especially at the end overs. Sandeep returned for the MI clash and showcased his prowess as more than just a death specialist.

He broke MI's back with the wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the powerplay before returning at the death to complete a five-wicket haul. Figures of 5/18 in 4 overs on a track where batters scored at over 9 runs per over puts things into perspective.

To start as an out-an-out swing merchant for PBKS from 2013, and 2017 and evolve into a brilliant death bowler is an incredible feat. Time will tell whether Sandeep Sharma will be considered for the World Cup but continued excellence for the rest of the season could only help bolster his case.

If his best IPL season of 18 wickets in 2014 that propelled PBKS' lone final run wasn't evidence enough for Sandeep's impact, RR winning the title this year should add the necessary gravy for that narrative.