Former India spinner R Ashwin has questioned Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, warning that the lack of international game time could affect the young opener’s confidence. Ashwin believes the selectors and team management must find opportunities for the left-hander, particularly after his recent run-scoring exploits.
The BCCI announced India’s ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand tour on Friday, October 16, but Jaiswal was left out of the 50-over setup. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin argued that the opener should have been considered for the final two ODIs, especially with Shubman Gill unavailable for those matches.
“If Shubman Gill is not playing the last two ODIs, then Yashasvi Jaiswal should definitely get that spot. It is very unfortunate because all of this can ruin his confidence. Now, with the way he was scoring runs…” Ashwin said.
“I can understand Shubman Gill’s situation because he is travelling. I can also understand KL Rahul’s situation. But Yashasvi Jaiswal has no game time at all, right? I am not talking from a perspective of just handing Jaiswal opportunities,” he added.
Jaiswal has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand and will also feature for India A in a three-match red-ball series beginning October 26 in Lincoln. However, Ashwin believes the focus on Test preparations should not come at the cost of opportunities in the other formats.
ASHWIN FLAGS INDIA’S HANDLING OF JAISWAL
Ashwin’s concern goes beyond one squad selection. He believes the selectors and team management need to think about how a lack of regular international cricket could affect a young player who had been scoring runs consistently.
“He was a run machine. If his confidence is getting ruined, it is the job of the team management and selectors to give him an opportunity wherever possible. But he has not been getting those opportunities at all. It has not gone to him. And it is very unfair,” Ashwin said.
The former spinner also suggested that Jaiswal’s batting had changed over the past couple of years, making it even more important for him to receive the backing and game time needed to find his rhythm again.
HOW HAS JAISWAL FARED IN ODIs?
Jaiswal has had limited opportunities in the 50-over format, but made a strong impression in his most recent appearance. He scored an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls against Afghanistan in June, helping India complete a 3-0 ODI series sweep after coming into the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Virat Kohli.
For Ashwin, that innings and Jaiswal’s wider run-scoring form make the lack of opportunities particularly frustrating. He questioned when the opener last played international cricket across the three formats and argued that match practice cannot be replaced.
“I agree that he needs to prepare for Test cricket. But tell me, when did Yashasvi Jaiswal last play an ODI? When did he last play a T20? When did he last play a Test match? The one he played in Sri Lanka was his last Test,” Ashwin said.
With the ODI series against New Zealand set to begin on January 11, India will be looking to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, making every opportunity valuable as the team works towards settling its combinations. For Ashwin, Jaiswal’s omission raises a bigger question about how India plans to utilise one of its most promising batting talents in the format, especially when the opener has already shown he can deliver at the international level.
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