'Kind of human being you become will define your life' - Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals MS Dhoni's advice during their first meet

On the eve of the third Test against England at Rajkot, starting on Thursday, India opener and the double-centurion of the previous match, Yashasvi Jaiswal, spoke exclusively to JioCinema on a range of topics. Excerpts:

On where he ranks the double century in the second Test amongst all his knocks: “Every innings has its own satisfaction, there’s a different fun to each one of them, so every time I score runs, I enjoy it.”

On how his family celebrated his knock: “We spent some time, ate and drank together, this was a moment that needed to be savoured. I had a dream that whenever I score a double century, I would celebrate it in a particular style. So, the way I celebrated, I had planned it in my mind for a long time.”

On the mental adjustments needed for a five-Test series: “I was very excited to know that it’s a five-match series. You’d have to go through different phases. Sometimes things will look smooth, sometimes they will get tough, so I was going to get a lot to learn. I would get more time to spend with the team and enjoy a lot, so that’s how I looked at it. I have really enjoyed the journey from West Indies to South Africa and back to India. So, there’s been a lot to learn and I am really enjoying it.”

On the adjustments needed to play in different conditions in the West Indies, South Africa, and India: “Every place has its own culture and when we come to the Indian team, we learn those cultures. We learn from our seniors. I speak to Rohit bhai, Rahul Sir, and Virat bhaiya and get as much information as I can. The conditions in the West Indies and South Africa were different. Having played in India we have an idea about the conditions. So, my aim has to be to learn and improve my game day by day.”

On ‘Jazball’, the term used, given the way he has batted in the series: “I accept whatever name is given to me with love. But, Jaiswal is my surname and I would be happy that people call me Jaiswal.”

On whether any words were exchanged with James Anderson during the second Test: “No, there was nothing as such. If there is a good ball, I need to respect it. If there is a loose ball, I need to score. He is one of the world’s great bowlers and I really enjoyed playing him.”

On switching between different formats of the game: “Both formats have different requirements. They are played at different times of the day. T20s are played in the evening, Tests during the day. The red ball seams and swings. There’s been a lot of switch between red and white ball cricket for me in the last couple of years, so I have a fair idea how to tackle these conditions. But what is common to both formats is having a good mindset. What the team requires is important, so I try to do that.”

On his first meeting with MS Dhoni where photos showed him with folded hands: “I was really happy when I saw him for the first time and did a namaste. I really didn’t know what to speak to him about, how to react, and that namaste was out of respect to him as an elder. I think I was at my most nervous in that match, which was my first-ever IPL game. Dhoni Sir was keeping so that was a very nice moment. That image is one of the best of my life and will remain with me.”

“I spoke to him after the match and he told me two important things. Cricket is fine, but the kind of human being you become will define your life. So how I am outside cricket, matters a lot to me. Of course, I make mistakes, but I also learn a lot from them. I am always striving to be a good person. The other thing he told me about was back my shots. He suggested I execute my best shots when I come under pressure. So that’s something I am always looking around for.”