Yashasvi Jaiswal has returned to India’s ODI squad, but a place in the playing XI, let alone at the top of the order, is far from assured. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill continue to hold the advantage in the race to open, leaving Jaiswal with another battle to force his way into the side.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, speaking ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies, suggested that Rohit and Gill remain India’s preferred opening pair. But he also made it clear that Jaiswal should not be discouraged by the competition, urging the young left-hander to keep working on his game and wait for his opportunity.
Jaiswal played all three ODIs against Afghanistan at home but was not picked for India’s subsequent tour of England. He has now been brought back into the 15-member squad for the three-match series against the West Indies, beginning on Sunday.
“I think there is so much competition (for team spots) and so many players are performing. Jaiswal, we all know he is one of the best batters and whenever he gets an opportunity he performs. So he is part of the team,” Kotak told reporters.
The message was perhaps as much about patience as it was about competition.
Jaiswal has already shown what he can do whenever he gets an opportunity, but India’s ODI plans have several established options. Kotak compared his situation to that of having multiple quality wicketkeepers, where only one can make the XI.
“As a support staff, we look after his skills, practise and his mindset and Gautam (Gambhir) also talks to him a lot, but sometimes you see, say if (for example) there are three very good wicketkeepers, only one can play,” Kotak said.
“So, it is not that somebody has been unfair to him. He should keep working hard and waiting for the opportunity and so far whenever he has been getting the opportunity, he has performed,” he added.
For Jaiswal, that could mean another period of waiting. But there is also a bigger picture. With Rohit and Virat Kohli still harbouring ambitions of playing in the 2027 World Cup, Kotak believes their presence gives younger players an opportunity to learn from two of the most experienced batters in the game.
ROHIT, VIRAT’S EXPERIENCE AHEAD OF 2027
Kotak said the experience of senior players can be invaluable to youngsters as India build towards the World Cup in South Africa.
“See, it is all about selling experience. They always do that. Whenever I have seen all the experienced players, even Gautam because he was playing, the level they have experienced, and when they see some player is going through a similar condition or situation, they always talk to them.”
“I think selling experience or selling whatever you have learnt is a great thing to do because it is getting knowledge or refreshing your knowledge as well. So, I always see them talking to senior players even when they abstain from talking to me or Morne (Morkel) or Sairaj (Bahutule).”
Kotak said India’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup have already begun, although the team is approaching the challenge one series at a time.
“The experience in the dressing room,” Kotak felt, would help India prepare for the World Cup in a more meaningful way.
“So what we discuss and what we try, obviously Gautam is there, Virat and Rohit obviously are there. We take everybody’s advice and think about how we need to start preparing if we bat first or bowl first. For example, WC is in South Africa, so what kind of wickets we can get. So, we prepare anyway.”
“So from now on, our plan is to do (planning) series by series. Luckily, we have a New Zealand series where it is outside Asia. So, there will be some different conditions – moisture, grass, all will be different.”
“If we can successfully do that, within a year’s time we should be ready for any challenges, any different wickets or any different bowling attacks,” he said.
JADEJA STILL IN THE MIX
The same long-term thinking applies to Ravindra Jadeja, who has returned to India’s white-ball squad after an eight-month gap.
Kotak was careful not to speak for the selectors but said Jadeja’s experience and all-round ability make him an obvious candidate for the group of players competing for places ahead of the World Cup.
“He is obviously in the mix. I mean, obviously, I am not part of the selection. So, I don’t know what they are thinking. I just think that whoever is coming and playing for India, they are obviously part of the 20-25 players who possibly are in the mix.”
“Jadeja is an outstanding bowler. We all know his records and I mean how the team will set up and what kind of a combination selectors and captain and head coach will go with, that is the second thing.”
“But Jadeja is one of the best fielders on a world level. The experience he hasI actually firmly believe that experience is something you cannot beat. So, like we see Rohit and Virat, we see Jadeja, they bring a lot to the team,” Kotak explained.
GILL FIT TO PLAY
There was also a fitness update on India’s captain on the eve of the series opener.
Gill was struck on his right elbow by Mohammed Siraj during training, but Kotak said the injury would not keep him out of Sunday’s match.
“Gill is looking good, I think he is good to go tomorrow,” Kotak said.
– Ends
