Young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal has left a lasting impression in the shortest format in the IPL and in T20Is with incredible performances. His recent showing in the second T20I against Afghanistan not only propelled India to an unassailable 2-0 series lead but also earned him a strong endorsement for a spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The left-handed opener played a pivotal role in India's victory, scoring a scintillating 68 off just 34 deliveries, including five boundaries and six maximums.
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His fearless and aggressive style of play has drawn comparisons to some of the best in the business, and former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that Jaiswal has now become an indispensable asset to the Indian T20 side in a World Cup year.
Speaking after the game, Chopra declared, “Yashasvi is going [to the T20 World Cup]. Again, the way he is batting. You will feel it would be unfair if you do not take him. Sometimes you are undroppable, meaning he is selectable, that is why he is here making runs. Now he has gone beyond Gill. But now you will not be able to touch him.”
Chopra emphasized that not selecting Jaiswal would risk a return to the slow-paced tempo that plagued India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, highlighting the importance of Jaiswal's aggressive approach in the lineup.
Jaiswal's statistics in T20Is speak volumes about his impact on the team's performance. With an average of 35.57 and an impressive strike rate of 163.81 in 16 games, he has proven to be a game-changer. Moreover, his average soars to over 44 in Indian T20I victories, showcasing his knack for making a significant impact in crucial situations.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the Caribbean and the USA., the 22-year-old Jaiswal seems to be the ideal tonic that Team India has been searching for at the start of their innings, combining explosive batting with the ability to adapt to varied conditions.
Meanwhile, the final T20I against Afghanistan is set to take place in Bangalore on Wednesday, January 17, where Jaiswal and the Indian team will look to seal the series with a clean sweep.
On the flip side, the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan has seen some surprising developments for India's veteran opener, Rohit Sharma, who made a return to the format after a year.
Nothing but just thank you, Yashasvi Jaiswal 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4a2S49MDIN
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 14, 2024
In the second T20I, Rohit Sharma was bowled for a golden duck. This followed a run-out for another duck in the previous match, leaving the Mumbai Indians captain without a single run in the series thus far.
Aakash Chopra expressed his astonishment over Rohit's dismissal and questioned his shot selection, stating, “It was extremely surprising the way Rohit got out. He was playing just his first ball. He doesn't play such shots. The ball went and hit his stumps. He got run out in the last match and was bowled for zero in this match.”
Chopra emphasized that Rohit Sharma, despite his stature and captaincy, needs to find his rhythm in the upcoming IPL 2024, as his contributions are pivotal to India's success in the T20 format.
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Jaiswal's remarkable rise in Indian cricket and his explosive style of play have made him a strong contender for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad. With his fearless approach and exceptional statistics, Jaiswal has earned the trust.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma's recent struggles with the bat, including ordinary numbers in the IPL in the last few years, have raised concerns, and his performance in the upcoming IPL could hold the key to his resurgence in the shortest format of the game.
