Rohit-Gill open for India, batting coach urges Jaiswal to keep working hard

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 certain. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill continue to hold the upper hand in the opening race, leaving Jaiswal with another battle to force his way into the side.

Speaking ahead of the first ODI against West Indies, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak suggested that Rohit and Gill remain India’s preferred opening pair. But he also made it clear that Jaiswal should not be deterred 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 selected for India’s subsequent tour of England. He has now been brought back into the 15-man squad for the three-match series against the West Indies starting on Sunday.

“I think there is so much competition (for places in the team) and so many players are performing. Jaiswal, we all know he is one of the best batsmen 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 competition.

Jaiswal has already shown what he can do whenever he gets the chance, but India’s ODI plans have several established options. Kotak compared his situation to that of having several quality wicketkeepers where only one can make the XI.

“As a support staff, we look after his skills, practice and his mindset and Gautam (Gambhir) also talks to him a lot, but sometimes you see, say, if there are (for example) three very good wicketkeepers, only one can play,” Kotak said.

“So it’s not like anyone is being unfair to him. He should continue to work hard and wait for his opportunity, and when he has, he’s performed so far,” he added.

It could mean another waiting period for Jaiswal. But there’s also a bigger picture. With Rohit and Virat Kohli still harboring ambitions to play in the 2027 World Cup, Kotak believes their presence gives the younger players an opportunity to learn from two of the most experienced batsmen in the game.

ROHIT, VIRAT’S EXPERIENCE BEFORE 2027

Kotak said the experience of the senior players could be invaluable to the youngsters as India progressed towards the World Cup in South Africa.

“You see, it’s all about selling the experience. They always do. Whenever I’ve seen all the experienced players, even Gautam, because he’s played, the level they’ve experienced, and when they see a player going through a similar condition or situation, they always talk to them.”

“I think selling experience or selling whatever you’ve learned is a great thing because it also means gaining knowledge or refreshing your knowledge. So I always see them talking to senior players, even if they refrain from talking to me or Morne (Morkel) or Sairaj (Bahutule).”

Kotak said India’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup have already begun, even as the team approaches the challenge one series at a time.

“The dressing room experience,” Kotak felt, would help India prepare for the World Cup in a more meaningful way.

“So what we’re discussing and what we’re trying is obviously Gautam there, obviously Virat and Rohit are there. We’re taking everyone’s advice and thinking about how we have to start our preparation, whether we’re going to bat first or bat first. For example, the WC is in South Africa, so what wickets can we get. So we’re going to prepare anyway.”

“So from now on we plan to do (plan) series by series. Fortunately, we have the series in New Zealand, which is outside of Asia. So there will be some different conditions – the humidity, the grass, everything will be different.”

“If we can do it successfully, within a year we should be ready for any challenges, different wickets or different bowling attacks,” he said.

JADEJA STILL IN THE MIX

The same long-term mindset applies to Ravindra Jadeja, who has returned to India’s white-ball squad after an eight-month hiatus.

Kotak was careful not to speak for the selectors, but said Jadeja’s experience and all-round ability made him an obvious candidate for the group of players vying for places ahead of the World Cup.

“He’s obviously in the mix. I mean, obviously I’m not part of the selection. So I don’t know what he’s thinking. I just think whoever comes and plays for India is obviously part of the 20-25 players who are maybe in the mix.”

“Jadeja is an excellent bowler. We all know his records and I mean how the team will line up and what combination the selectors, captain and head coach will go for, that’s another thing.”

“But Jadeja is one of the best fielders at the world level. The experience that he has, in fact I firmly believe that experience is something you can’t beat. So just like we see Rohit and Virat, we see Jadeja, they bring a lot to the team,” explained Kotak.

GILL FIT THE GAME

There was also an update on India’s captain’s fitness on the eve of the series opener.

Mohammed Siraj hit Gill on the right elbow during training but Kotak said the injury will not stop him from Sunday’s game.

“Gill looks good, I think he’s good to go tomorrow,” Kotak said.

– The end