Tejasvi Jaiswal Returns to Cricket After Fulfilling Family Duties

For Tejasvi Jaiswal, the dream of cricket unraveled as reality set in. In 2012, he and his younger brother, Yashasvi, moved from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai, driven by a shared ambition to pursue cricket. However, for Tejasvi, life diverted him from the cricket field sooner than he wanted.

By late 2013, as financial struggles hit the family, Tejasvi quit cricket to work as a salesman in Delhi — a decision driven by necessity rather than choice. Although cricket became a memory rather than a daily routine, he held onto one belief: once Yashasvi made it big, he would muster the courage to revisit his own cricketing dreams.

“When I left to work, our family was in financial distress. Even while working, my mind was elsewhere. It was an obligation — a necessity. However, there was always hope that when Yashasvi succeeds, I’ll return to cricket. I never doubted that I’d play again. This thought always stayed with me, and I reassured my brother. He was incredibly supportive after establishing himself. It’s because of him that I’m playing today. He means everything to me!” Tejasvi expressed after Tripura’s thrilling Super-Over victory against Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium B-Ground in Ahmedabad.

Tejasvi returned to cricket without a solid plan or contract, just uncertainty. Yashasvi encouraged his move to play for Tripura. Originally intended as a short stint for a few matches, the journey turned into a prolonged stay due to the pandemic, gradually transitioning into training, opportunities, and finally, stability.

“My brother urged me to play for Tripura. My first visit was just for a couple of matches in 2019. On my return to Delhi, COVID disrupted my plans. I waited, and in 2021, seven years after stepping away, I quit my job in Delhi and resumed training.”

“Luckily, when IPL 2021 was suspended, Rajasthan Royals needed practice bowlers, and I joined them with my brother. That marked the real restart of my cricket journey. I practiced extensively with them and was brought in as a net bowler. I traveled with the team for the Dubai leg, and back in Tripura, my playing setup was well-established.”

His comeback required not only skill but also physical rejuvenation. “I needed intense training as I was overweight. Gradually, I lost weight, and I’m still working on getting even fitter,” he shared.

The 28-year-old celebrated his maiden T20 fifty (51 off 37 balls) against Uttarakhand on the same day Yashasvi scored his first ODI century against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Their father expressed immense joy that both his sons are now playing cricket. Following their achievements, the brothers spoke, with Yashasvi advising, “Enjoy the opportunity.”

Like his brother, Tejasvi bats left-handed, carrying his experiences to the pitch alongside insights from someone who has endured and excelled in the sport.

“I learn from Yashasvi. He’s a national player and teaches me the nuances of batting. His mindset is admirable; he always says, ‘No matter what happens, never let yourself down.’ I embrace the same outlook.”

Expressing his pride in Yashasvi, Tejasvi insists that stepping away from cricket was a responsibility, not a sacrifice.

“It was my responsibility, not a sacrifice. Our family was financially strained, and he was performing exceptionally well. Both of us went to Mumbai to play, but he was the one making significant strides. From his childhood, I foresaw his potential to excel. Witnessing his performances, I chose to step back. That was the decision.”

Published on Dec 09, 2025