Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the Indian team management’s decision to leave Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand. Ashwin believes the young batter should have been given an opportunity in the last two matches, especially with Shubman Gill being rested. With India preparing for next year’s ODI World Cup, the series against New Zealand is an important opportunity for the team to test players and build a strong squad. However, Jaiswal’s continued absence has raised questions about India’s plans for the upcoming tournament.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, He said, “If Shubman Gill is not playing the last two ODIs, then Yashasvi Jaiswal should definitely get that spot.” He added, “It is very unfortunate because all of this can ruin his confidence.” According to Ashwin, the team management should make sure that a talented player like Jaiswal gets enough opportunities to perform at the international level. He also pointed out that Jaiswal has not received regular opportunities in international cricket despite showing excellent form in the past.
Ashwin said, “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.” The former India spinner also compared Jaiswal’s current batting with his performances two or three years ago. He said, “He was a run machine.” Ashwin believes that the selectors and team management have a responsibility to support young players and give them opportunities when possible.
Ashwin suggested that the team management could have directly spoken to Jaiswal before the final two ODIs and allowed him to decide whether he wanted to play. Ashwin said, “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.’” He further added, “There is absolutely nothing like international game time.” Ashwin acknowledged that preparing for Test cricket is important, but he does not believe Jaiswal’s opportunities in ODI cricket should be affected because of it.