India’s T20I top-order spots have been heavily contested for since the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with a band of high-intent and deadly batters coming to the fore. Despite showcasing his incredible appetite for scoring across formats, Yashasvi Jaiswal has found himself down in the pecking order even after stamping his mark on the Test circuit.
Jaiswal was overlooked for a return to the T20I fold for the first time in over 12 months at the Asia Cup, with fellow white-ball opener Shubman Gill returning to the squad. Gill’s inclusion even pushed out wicket-keeper Sanju Samson from the slot, with southpaw Abhishek Sharma dominating the other opening slot.
Chopra questions opener’s T20 snub
Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned Jaiswal’s prolonged exclusion from the T20I squad even after featuring as the back-up opener in the previous T20 World Cup, ahead of Gill.
In 22 innings for India, Jaiswal has racked up 723 runs, including a century and five fifties, at a superb 164.31 strike rate. “When you see Yashasvi, it seems like he is a three-format player. However, currently, he is playing only one format, and it seems like a travesty. It seems almost an injustice,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“The truth for now is that he will play the two Tests against the West Indies, and I am pretty sure he will score runs as well because he is that kind of a player. I think he will now get a chance to travel with the ODI team. When the three-match series against Australia starts, he will be there,” he observed.
‘Will find a way into the 15’
Chopra, however, believes that Jaiswal could still make his way back into the 15-member squad in time for next year’s T20 World Cup, slated to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Post the Asia Cup assignment, the Men in Blue are scheduled to feature in 15 more high-intensity T20I matches against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand before defending the world title.
“I feel he will have to wait in T20s now also. His name will not come in the 15 that soon because when we win the Asia Cup, there won’t be much scope for change. However, before the World Cup happens, because there are 15 T20Is before that, I am very sure he will find a way into the 15,” he added.
