India prepares for the West Indies ODIs, and the focus is again on Rohit Sharma. The opener’s position in the team is already heavily debated, and in all this, it’s Yashasvi Jaiswal who finds himself without any playing opportunities. It seems the selectors are already feeling the burden of it.
Inside Selectors’ Remorse About Yashasvi Jaiswal
India Today’s Nikhil Naz, appearing on Wisden Cricket’s YouTube channel, discussed Sharma’s ODI future. In the same discussion, he revealed the conversation he had with some people and the selectors’ position on the Jaiswal vs. Sharma dilemma.
“Somewhere the selectors feel that they’ve done Yashasvi Jaiswal no favours by keeping him on the sidelines,” Naz said. “Remember, I’ll give you a bit of a history. A similar thing happened to Yashasvi Jaiswal in T20 cricket.
“There was a time it looked like Indian cricket had moved forward from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Yashasvi was the incumbent opener. Suddenly they had a change of heart. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli coming in for the 2024 World Cup. Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t play a single game. Today, he’s not even part of India’s T20 setup despite doing no wrong.”
Jaiswal, scoring 2 ODI centuries in his last 3 innings, finds himself fighting for a permanent slot in the starting XI. Not to mention his 71.25 average in the format. The last innings he played? A brisk and quick 110 off 86 balls against Afghanistan.
Jaiswal, 24, has all the weapons to be an elite opener in ODIs. However, as age and inevitable physical attrition catch up with Sharma, the team management faces a delicate transitional clock ticking down.
“So I think somewhere the selectors have that guilt that we need to have Yashasvi Jaiswal playing, and with injuries and the age catching up with Rohit Sharma, maybe would be a good time for Yashasvi Jaiswal to come in. Would have happened after that Lord’s ODI, but Rohit Sharma is soldiering on,” Naz concluded.
So, what should be done? Sharma is still going strong, and as long as a player is contributing, he shouldn’t be removed. The dilemma is around the 2027 World Cup. But Sharma’s experience and brilliance will come in handy. He will enjoy those speedy tracks.
And Jaiswal? Might have to wait and grab any opportunities that come along.
Also Read: “He’s Not the Youngest Anymore”: Time Is Running Out To Fix Hardik Pandya’s Injury Cycle