Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI snub very unfair: R Ashwin asks Indian selectors

Former India spinner R Ashwin has questioned Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, warning that a lack of international game time could affect the young player’s confidence. Ashwin believes the selectors and team management need to find opportunities for the left-hander, especially after his recent scoring performances.

BCCI announced India ODI and Test squads for Friday’s tour of New Zealandon 16 October, but Jaiswal was left out of the 50-over setup. Ashwin claimed on his YouTube channel that the opener should be considered for the last two ODIs, especially as Shubman Gill was unavailable for those matches.

“If Shubman Gill doesn’t play the last two ODIs, then Yashasvi Jaiswal should definitely get that slot. It’s very unfortunate because all this can destroy his confidence. Now that he has scored runs…” Ashwin said.

“I can understand Shubman Gill’s situation because he is on the move. I can also understand KL Rahul’s situation. But Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t get any game time at all, does he? I’m not talking from the perspective of just handing over opportunities to Jaiswal,” he added.

Jaiswal has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand and will also play for India A in the three-match red-ball series starting on October 26 in Lincoln. However, Ashwin feels that the focus on Test preparations should not come at the expense of opportunities in other formats.

ASHWIN FLAGS MANIPULATION WITH JAISWAL IN INDIA

Ashwin’s concern goes beyond picking one team. He believes the selectors and the team management need to think about how the lack of regular international cricket could affect the young player who has been a consistent scorer.

“He was a run machine. If his confidence is destroyed, it’s the job of the team management and the selectors to give him opportunities wherever possible. But he didn’t get those opportunities at all. He didn’t get it. And it’s very unfair,” Ashwin said.

The former spinner also hinted that Jaiswal’s batting has changed over the last couple of years, making it all the more important for him to get the support and game time needed to find his rhythm again.

HOW DID JAISWAL FAR IN ODI?

Jaiswal has had limited opportunities in the 50-over format but made a strong impression in his last outing. He scored an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls against Afghanistan in June to help India complete the ODI series 3-0 after coming into the playing eleven as a replacement for the injured Virat Kohli.

For Ashwin, this innings and Jaiswal’s wider scoring form make the lack of opportunities particularly frustrating. He questioned when the opener last played international cricket across the three formats and claimed there was no substitute for match practice.

“I agree that he needs to prepare for Test cricket. But tell me when was the last time Yashasvi Jaiswal played an ODI? When was the last time he played a T20? When was the last time he played 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 eyeing a place in the 2027 ODI World Cup to make every opportunity count as the team works to settle their combinations. For Ashwin, Jaiswal’s omission raises a bigger question about how India plans to use one of its most promising batting talents in the format, especially when the opener has already shown he can play at the international level.

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