Indian Yashavi Jaiswal, left, and Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
Virender Sehwag has backed former India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to become a regular member of India’s ODI squad once Rohit Sharma steps away from the format after next year’s World Cups in South Africa and Zimbabwe. According to Sehwag, Jaiswal has the potential to succeed in all three formats, but the current composition of the Indian side does not leave much scope for him at present.
Which player do you think will compete with Yashasvi Jaiswal for an ODI place after the World Cup?
Jaiswal has featured in four ODIs so far and has already made a strong impression. His standout performance came in his last ODI appearance against South Africa in Visakhapatnam last year, where he remained unbeaten with 116 off 121 deliveries to score his maiden century in the format.
Despite being highly rated, Sehwag admitted that India’s current opening line-up makes it difficult for Jaiswal to break into the team on a consistent basis.“But there is no place now.
Shubman Gill
He is the captain. Rohit Sharma plays. Once Rohit Sharma retires, you will see Jaiswal playing white-ball and one-day cricket as well.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
It might be his rival, though. But if you take three openers, you will definitely see Jaiswal among them,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.The former opener pointed out that Jaiswal’s ODI opportunities came largely when senior players were not available and not because of the permanent opener in the team.
However, he stressed that the youngster delivers consistent performances whenever he is given the opportunity.“Look, he came into the ODI team only because someone like Gill or Sharma wasn’t available. It wasn’t like he got the opportunity and then didn’t perform. He performed well when he got the opportunity. It wasn’t like he was left out after not performing. He was in the team because someone wasn’t playing,” he said.“
Ishan Kishan
Not part of one-day cricket either. He has achieved a double hundred in ODIs, which is the fastest.
So he is also an account player. But I would definitely like to see Jaiswal in one-day cricket and T20Is, I mean in all three formats. “He is a player who can play in all three formats,” Sehwag explained.
Should India consider Jaiswal for T20Is as well as ODIs?
Former India batter
Manoj Tiwari
who was also part of the discussion, shared a similar view and put Jaiswal at the top of his list of future ODI openers. Tiwari believes the left-hander should be India’s front-runner once the senior players move on after next year’s World Cup.“He is number one on my list. After the World Cup next year, two players will retire. However, he could be selected before. But if that does not happen, then surely after these players retire, the first name will be Jaiswal. After that, the names you will choose are: [the host] They took Sai Sudharsen, Ishan Kishan and Devdutt Padikkal. “This has to be it,” Tiwari said.With competition from players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharshan, Ishan Kishan and Devdutt Padikkal, the race for India’s top spots in the future remains tight. However, both Sehwag and Tiwary believe that Jaiswal has done enough to put himself firmly at the front of the queue whenever the opportunity finally arises.
