Rahul sir instills confidence in players, assuring them that they are in the right space and providing the right guidance, which is crucial for both individual careers and the team as a whole. He is also an incredible human being,” Jaiswal said in the ‘Gen Bold’ show on JioHotstar
Hyderabad: Rajasthan Royals star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is yet to get going in the IPL this season, says that having Rahul Dravid with the team is a privilege and an opportunity to learn. “I think Rahul sir is an amazing leader—supportive, caring, and always looking out for everyone.
He instills confidence in players, assuring them that they are in the right space and providing the right guidance, which is crucial for both individual careers and the team as a whole. He is also an incredible human being,” Jaiswal said in the ‘Gen Bold’ show on JioHotstar.
“Having someone like Rahul Dravid Sir in this era is a privilege and seeing him up close is an opportunity to learn—not just about cricket, but also about the way he carries himself off the field. He has maintained such grace and composure over the years, and there is so much to absorb from him. I am truly excited to be here with him and look forward to enjoying this TATA IPL season alongside him,” Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal said that he had a lot of faith in himself – his game, thoughts and abilities. “ Ultimately, it’s my responsibility to take my career forward, and I know how hard I need to work. Cricket demands a lot of sacrifices, but people only notice them when you achieve something or perform well,” he said. Jaiswal said his focus had always been on preparation, maintaining the right mindset, and believing in myself.
Cricket takes time, but if you do the right things, success will come. Reflecting on his recent experience with Team India before returning to the TATA IPL this season, Jaiswal said he learnt a lot as the two offer completely different experiences. “Playing under pressure across various formats—Test cricket, One-Day cricket, and T20—has taught me the importance of adaptability.
The key takeaway for me has been to remain flexible, stay aware, and adjust to different situations as they arise. I am thoroughly enjoying the journey and continuously striving to evolve as a player,” he said. On different formats and the challenges, Jaiswal said that he believed it would come down to the mindset, experience and understanding of the game as well as how much one would prioritise the team.
“If the situation demands that I score 15 runs off six balls, I will go for it. If I need to play 50 balls and score 10 runs, I can do that as well. During practice, I create different match scenarios in my mind—how to chase a target, how to rotate the strike, and how to adapt to various situations,” he said. On captain Sanju Samson, Jaiswal said they had known each other for a long time.
“We enjoy spending time together, and it’s always fun playing alongside him. The way he talks, his style—it’s great to be around him. Of course, we are looking forward to this season, and I hope we will enjoy it just as much this year,” he said. “When I joined the Rajasthan Royals Academy, I worked very hard on my cricket, learning new shots and refining my game.
The academy has a strong reputation for developing players, providing a great environment to grow, train, and gain valuable match experience. As I mentioned, the Rajasthan Royals’ structure plays a crucial role for young players. It offers them a year-round platform to play, learn from the best, and enjoy their cricket,” Jaiswal concluded.
