Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s omission from India’s squad for the ODI series against New Zealand has left many questions unanswered. With the management beginning serious preparations for the ODI World Cup next year, the 5-match assignment against the Kiwis is not being seen as just another contest. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not picked Jaiswal for even the last couple of matches in the ODI series, for which a few other key players have been rested, leaving many bewildered and baffled, including Ravichandran Ashwin
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed utter astonishment as he went on a relentless rant, questioning the logic behind Jaiswal’s absence from the ODI squad, especially considering he hasn’t featured in limited-overs cricket for India in about 4 months.
Arguing Jaiswal’s case, Ashwin said while it’s fine for the selectors to be looking after the southpaw ahead of the Test series against the Kiwis, they should’ve picked him for the last 2 ODIs, especially as Shubman Gill has been rested 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…”
“Tell me this, 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 speaking purely from a perspective of just handing Yashasvi Jaiswal opportunities. I understand and agree with your point. However, his confidence is being completely ruined. I do not know, but if you look at his batting, he is not batting the way he used to bat two or three years ago,” Ashwin said, almost fuming over the situation.
“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. That is why I am saying, if there is an opportunity here for these two ODIs, honestly, if I were in the position of the team management or selectors, I would have gone and asked Yashasvi Jaiswal: ‘This is the situation for these two ODIs, do you want to play? If you want to play, please go ahead and play.’ There is absolutely nothing like international game time.”a.jit Agarkar, the BCCI selection committee chief whose contract has now ended, was reportedly a big believer in Jaiswal’s potential and wanted to push his case as an important player in India’s ODI team, especially for the World Cup next year. However, a potential conflict between picking one player between Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma reportedly played a role in his contract not being renewed. Now, with Jaiswal’s ODI experience being limited, big questions are being asked even over Team India’s seriousness to prepare a primary squad and bench strength for the World Cup in South Africa.
While Ashwin agrees that Jaiswal needs a little time to prepare for the Tests against New Zealand, he isn’t happy to see his ODI career being sacrificed to make that happen.
“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. After that, he has not played any international cricket at all. Yet, this is a player who was in prime form and scoring runs consistently. Wherever you set up stumps, he was scoring runs. It is very unfortunate. It is definitely the responsibility of the selectors and team management to look after Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is a precious talent,” Ashwin concluded.
