Tejasvi Jaiswal’s sacrifice for brother Yashasvi Jaiswal rewarded with life’s best gift

New Delhi: Australian media hailed Yashasvi Jaiswal as the “new king” in the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, recognizing him as a rising star in Indian cricket. This title reflects his remarkable performances and unwavering dedication, which have set him apart on the international stage. Jaiswal’s journey has been anything but easy; he embraced every challenge with a relentless work ethic that fueled his ascent in world cricket. While his talent and commitment are central to his success, his family, especially his elder brother, Tejasvi Jaiswal, played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging him along the way.

Tejasvi Jaiswal gained attention after scoring his first Ranji Trophy fifty while representing Tripura in his debut season. This half-century marked an important milestone on his journey toward becoming an international cricketer. It was a memorable achievement—not only as his maiden fifty but also because, just a few years earlier, such a moment would have seemed beyond reach.

Like his younger brother Yashasvi, Tejasvi Jaiswal dreamed of becoming a cricketer. However, he ultimately set aside his ambitions to support his family and pave the way for Yashasvi’s success. The Jaiswal brothers moved to Mumbai, hoping to achieve their dreams of wearing the national jersey, but the struggle to survive in the bustling city quickly became apparent. Realizing one of them would have to shoulder the family’s financial burdens, Tejasvi selflessly took on the responsibility. At just 17, he quit cricket and began working as a salesman in Delhi, sending pocket money to Yashasvi and supporting his family by helping to arrange his sisters’ marriages.

“I also wanted to play cricket, but the financial situation of our family was not good. Yashasvi was doing well… So by the end of 2013, I quit Mumbai and cricket and moved to Delhi, where a relative runs a shop,” Tejasvi said to Indian Express while speaking about his initial struggles.

Apart from the financial struggles, Tejasvi was also accused of age fraud which further dented his hopes of pursuing cricket as a career. “I played one game in the Harris Shield and picked up seven wickets. Then people started saying that I had an age-verification issue. I was benched for a year and a half. Yashasvi was doing extremely well and I didn’t want his prospects to be affected because of me. Anyway, Mumbai was too expensive for both of us. It was getting difficult for both of us to have two meals a day. At that point Jwala sir, Yashasvi’s coach, wasn’t in the picture yet,” Tejasvi said.

Back then, few could have imagined that a decade later, Tejasvi would be making headlines himself. But as destiny often shows, perseverance and sacrifice eventually lead to what one truly deserves. The fortunes of the Jaiswal brothers took a positive turn, yet it was their relentless hard work that carried them to where they are today. Tejasvi’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to chase success—those who are willing to dig deep and face challenges head-on will ultimately achieve their goals.