Just before embarking on his first tour of Australia, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal told his childhood friend Mudassir Khan that he would do something big on the tour.
“Usne bola tha ke woh kuch bada karega (he had said he would do something big). And he did that in the first Test itself,” says Khan, in an exclusive with Telecom Asia Sport, about his friend from Mumbai's Azad Maidan, who started the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with a career-defining 161 in the first Test at Perth.
And that has left Khan, a bat-repairer or bat maker by profession, grinning from ear to ear ever since Jaiswal lived up to his promise.
Jaiswal impressed the cricketing world on his maiden tour of Australia by compiling a brilliant century (161) in the second innings that helped India to a shocking victory in the first Test despite being bowled for 150 in the first innings.
After notching up just one half-century (77) in the humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home, Jaiswal got out to Mitchell Starc for an eight-ball duck in the first innings at Perth. But he came good in the second innings scoring a match-winning ton laced with three sixes and 15 boundaries, a knock that would remind many of VVS Laxman's epic 227 not out against the same opposition at the Eden Gardens in 2001. Just like that innings by Laxman, Jaiswal's century set up India for an unbelievable triumph over the hosts, setting the foundation for a fairytale turnaround.
Khan has all the reasons for feeling elated at Jaiswal's success, having lived through hard times with the young batter who moved from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai in pursuit of cricketing success.
Khan, who works and lives in a tent in Azad Maidan, the nursery of Mumbai cricket, narrates a recent incident where he messaged his buddy and Jaiswal surprised him by visiting him to remember the old days.
We keep exchanging messages now and then. A cricketer had broken his bat, and he desperately needed a new one, so I asked Yashasvi if he could give me a spare bat.
Mudassir Khan
Coincidentally, I sent the message during the third Test of the India-New Zealand series at the Wankhede. He replied, asking me where I was. Told him I was staying at the Maidan. The match was over in three days and he asked me to come to the gate. I thought he would just meet me there and leave as he is a big man now. He got down from his car and he said, 'chalo andar, bahut din ho gaye. Aur kitna badal gaya hai (Let's get inside. It’s been a while and things have changed so much here).
Mudassir Khan
After that Khan and Jaiswal reminisced the old days of struggles and how they lived together in a tent in the Muslim United club's tent at Azad Maidan.
We just talked about those days, about how he would sleep in the tent, cook food and move around the ground, playing matches and dreaming of making it big
Mudassir Khan
He came and met all those that were a part of his journey, including the Azad Maidan groundsmen and Chacha (uncle) with whom we lived. Yashasvi said he has not forgotten all those who backed him in his days of struggle. 'Their prayers are important to me', he told me,”
Mudassir Khan
He reveals that Jaiswal also spoke about his cricket too.
At that time, he was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t help India win, but he was very confident even then. He said he aims to score big every time he gets a chance, like 150 or 200 runs. Yashasvi said if he gets a good 30 balls in the middle, he will be up for a big one. Bas 30 ball chahiye usko (he needs 30 balls to start). He uncorks the magic once he gets in.
Mudassir Khan
Khan gives the example of the Perth Test to point at Jaiswal's determination to succeed -- the change in his demeanour between the first and second innings.
We saw he was a different player in the second innings after getting out for a duck in the first. The best part about his cricket is that he has always been a quick learner. He doesn’t sit idle but keeps working on his game and has a keen observation.
Mudassir Khan
Khan, like his friend Jaiswal, moved to Mumbai at a young age from Uttar Pradesh to pursue his cricketing dreams. However, circumstances forced him to turn into a bat repairer and not the fast bowler he once dreamt of being.
I came to Mumbai along with my Nana (grandfather) to play cricket. He would repair bats here, too. I played a lot of cricket there before coming to Mumbai. But I had to end my pursuit as things were not working out. Around that time, I met Yashasvi. I used to make bats in the morning before going to sleep in the Muslim United tent while Yashasvi would play throughout the day and do drills at night. At times, I had to remind him 'It’s time to sleep'. We used to have a lot of fun together during festivals like Diwali and Eid, visiting friends to relish good food.
Mudassir Khan
There were times when we would sit on the branch of a tree next to the Press Club to catch the IPL action screened on the big screen. I still remember, during one of those matches he told me 'I would be playing this event one day'. And look, how he has realized his dream.
Mudassir Khan
Though he could not make it big as a cricketer, Khan is happy to see his friend make waves.
It’s a proud moment for me. And why not, I have seen him work hard for it.
Mudassir Khan
Asked whether he has got the promised bat from Jaiswal, Khan says he has returned it to the left-handed opener with a prayer that he continues to shine on the international stage and win many more matches for India.