In a heartwarming tale from the domestic cricket circuit, a young spinner from Gujarat etched his name into the record books by claiming the prized wicket of modern-day great Virat Kohli, only to later seek his autograph and receive invaluable life advice.
The Unforgettable Dismissal and a Special Request
The moment that changed everything for Vishal Jayswal came when he bowled to the well-set Virat Kohli, who was batting on 77. Jayswal lured the Delhi batter out of his crease with a delivery that spun sharply past the outside edge, allowing the wicketkeeper to complete a sharp stumping. While Gujarat narrowly lost the thrilling contest by seven runs, the young spinner's breakthrough was the talk of the town.
After the match, as his teammates headed back, Jayswal lingered on the field. He collected the match ball—the very one that had dismissed Kohli—and nervously made his way to the Delhi dressing room. Spotting the star batter, he hesitated, but Kohli noticed him, smiled, and beckoned him in with a warm "Aaja, aaja" (Come in).
Jayswal pulled the ball from his pocket and made his request: "Bhaiya, ball pe ek autograph chahiye" (Please give me an autograph). Kohli immediately put his kit aside, asked the nervous youngster to sit down, made him comfortable, and then signed the ball.
Kohli's Motivational Words and Jayswal's Admiration
Beyond the autograph, Kohli offered words of encouragement that Jayswal will likely cherish forever. "Achha ball daalta hai. Hard work karta rah. Opportunity aayega, wait kar and mehnat kar", Kohli told him, praising his bowling and urging him to stay patient and keep working hard.
In an exclusive chat, Jayswal admitted to feeling immense pressure bowling to a legend. "I didn’t have any specific plan against him. He’s a legend of the game. Just bowling to him is a huge moment," he said. He revealed that Kohli shared tips on staying calm under pressure and maintaining fitness. "Of course, I’m really happy to have dismissed him. Having a wicket like that next to your name is very special," the spin all-rounder added.
An Inspirational Journey from Nadiad
Jayswal's path to this moment has been one of resilience and inspiration. Hailing from Nadiad in Gujarat’s Kheda district, he began his cricket journey at the same academy as his idol, Axar Patel, the current vice-captain of India's T20I team. Tragedy struck early when Jayswal lost his father at just eight months old. As cricket became his passion, he confided his dream to his mother, who supported him steadfastly through a difficult journey.
"The journey was extremely tough, but whatever I am today is because of my mother," said Jayswal, who was the highest wicket-taker in the 2022–23 CK Nayudu Trophy. He considers taking her to an awards function as one of his life's proudest moments.
Axar Patel has played a crucial mentoring role. "Axar bhai has helped me immensely — from my cricket kit to jerseys and bats. I look up to him as an inspiration and mentor," Jayswal stated. He aims to be a spin-bowling all-rounder like Axar and values his advice on game-changing tactics, run-rate control, and mental strength. Recalling a key tip with a smile, he shared: "He always tells me: 'Batting mein dhyaan sirf ball pe rakho, aur bowling mein batsman ke pair aur wickets pe.'"
This story is more than just about a dismissal; it's a testament to the dreams that fuel domestic cricket and the moments of grace that can inspire a generation.
