The absence of young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal from India’s playing eleven has left many scratching their heads. Despite consistently being India’s top performer in Test cricket recently, Jaiswal surprisingly lost his spot in the T20I format to players like Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill, even after boasting an impressive strike rate of 164.
However, the real head-scratcher comes in the One-Day International (ODI) format. With the 2027 World Cup in focus, Jaiswal, at just 23, seems like a natural fit for the squad. Yet, veteran captain Rohit Sharma, currently 38, has expressed his desire to participate in the next ODI World Cup, a development that appears to have relegated Jaiswal to the sidelines, forcing him to continue warming the bench in white-ball cricket.
But Jaiswal isn’t just waiting idly; he’s actively preparing to challenge for a spot, potentially even aiming to replace his “idol” Rohit Sharma in India’s formidable batting lineup. India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, recently shared insights from Adelaide, stating, “I believe he is very much a part of the squad. He trains diligently, and the team management is well aware that his opportunity will arise. Ultimately, only eleven players can take the field, so one must patiently await their turn and then deliver a strong performance.”
Kotak also dropped a significant piece of news, revealing Jaiswal’s dedicated efforts to refine his leg-spin bowling in the nets. “Jaiswal has always dabbled in leg-spin, but seeing his personal drive to bowl more and more, and the increasing consistency in his delivery, is a very promising sign,” Kotak elaborated. “I’ve observed him over the past five to six years, and while he’s always bowled, he’s showing remarkable improvement now. It’s clear he’s intensifying his work on his bowling, which is undoubtedly a positive development for his all-round potential.”
In related news, India recently faced a seven-wicket defeat in the first ODI, a match shortened to 26 overs per side due to persistent rain interruptions. Coach Kotak attributed the batting struggles to these frequent breaks, which disrupted the team’s rhythm. The second match of the series is scheduled to take place in Adelaide on Thursday, with the team hoping for better conditions and a stronger performance.