New Delhi: Former India opener Virender Sehwag has thrown his weight behind young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, backing him to become a regular across all three formats for India in the near future.
Sehwag’s endorsement comes at a time when Jaiswal, despite impressive performances, is yet to cement his place in India’s white-ball squads due to stiff competition for opening spots.
Limited opportunities in white-ball cricket
Jaiswal has already established himself as a dependable opener in Test cricket, forming a solid partnership with KL Rahul at the top. However, his chances in ODIs and T20Is have been limited due to the presence of established names.
In ODIs, India currently rely on captain Shubman Gill and veteran Rohit Sharma as their first-choice opening pair. In the T20I format, the team management has preferred Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order.
Given that Jaiswal is also an opener, opportunities have been scarce, forcing him to wait for his chances in the shorter formats.
Sehwag confident of future breakthrough
Speaking about Jaiswal’s prospects, Sehwag emphasised that the youngster’s time will come, particularly once there is a transition phase in the team.
According to Sehwag, Jaiswal is likely to become a regular in white-ball cricket once Rohit Sharma steps away from the format. He also noted that while players like Ruturaj Gaikwad could compete for a spot, Jaiswal remains a strong contender.
Sehwag highlighted that if India opts to include three openers in the squad, Jaiswal would almost certainly be among them, given his talent and consistency.
Strong record in limited chances
Despite limited appearances, Jaiswal has made a significant impact in ODIs. In just four matches, he has scored 171 runs at an impressive average of 57.00, including a standout unbeaten 116.
Sehwag pointed out that Jaiswal’s performances have been commendable and that he has never been dropped due to poor form. Instead, his opportunities have largely come when senior players were unavailable.
This consistency, according to Sehwag, underlines Jaiswal’s ability to adapt and perform at the highest level, making a strong case for his inclusion across formats.
Competition remains intense
The former opener also mentioned Ishan Kishan as another strong contender for a spot in the ODI side. Kishan, who has already scored a double century in ODIs, remains in the selection mix despite not being a regular in the current setup.
With multiple talented players vying for limited spots, team selection continues to be a challenging task for the management. However, Sehwag believes that Jaiswal’s versatility and temperament give him an edge.
Inclusion in Afghanistan ODI squad
Both Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan have been included in India’s squad for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Their selection indicates that the team management is keen on testing bench strength and exploring options ahead of major tournaments.
For Jaiswal, the series presents another opportunity to showcase his abilities and strengthen his claim for a permanent spot in the playing XI.
Conclusion
Virender Sehwag’s backing adds significant weight to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s growing reputation as a multi-format player. While competition for places remains fierce, Jaiswal’s performances and potential suggest that it is only a matter of time before he becomes a regular across all formats for India. His journey reflects the depth of talent in Indian cricket and the evolving dynamics of team selection.