Yashasvi Jaiswal Left Out! India Still Juggling Top-Order Spot Ahead Of Afghanistan Tour, Claims Report

Yashasvi Jaiswal last played an ODI for India in South Africa. He hit 116 not out and won the match. It was his fourth ODI. He played because Shubman Gill was unfit. Gill is back now. Jaiswal is dropped for Afghanistan.

India faces Afghanistan in a three-ODI series from June 13. Jaiswal is also missing from the India A squad for Sri Lanka A. That side will play under Tilak Varma. His absence there has raised fresh debate on selection thinking.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He replied, "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has done well, but let's not forget Yashasvi Jaiswal. As impressive as he is, Jaiswal has done well, too." He has named Jaiswal earlier in media talks.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Should Be Part Of India A Squad- Ex-Selector Remarks

According to a report by the Times of India, former chief selector MSK Prasad remarked that the selection board should have gone ahead with Jaiswal. He added that missing out Jaiswal on such a crucial tour may be unfortunate and a huge miss for the left-hander. Prasad also felt that Rohit and Gill may be blocking the 'valuable time' for the left-hander. Still, Sri Lanka would have kept Jaiswal ready for white-ball games.

Prasad called Jaiswal a rare all-format player. He said Jaiswal should not feel let down. He recalled how Shreyas Iyer once missed out despite a strong domestic form. Prasad said Jaiswal is a tough boy, and this phase will make him tougher.

Jaiswal's ODI Report Card

Jaiswal last played an ODI nearly five months ago. After Afghanistan, India hosts a three-match ODI series against England in July. Ishan Kishan is back as the second wicketkeeper and backup opener. That adds more delay to Jaiswal's white-ball return.

Jaiswal has 23 T20I caps. The last came on July 30, 2024, against Sri Lanka. After the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss in Adelaide, India changed its powerplay batting. Jaiswal was key, scoring at a strike rate of 164.31.

He attacked from the first over and shifted India's T20 style. Rohit later focused on ODIs before the 2023 World Cup and on Tests. Jaiswal then thrived as a T20I opener. For the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit and Virat Kohli opened.

Jaiswal sat out that tournament. Under Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson moved ahead of him. His intent, strike rate, and IPL output have stayed strong. Yet he has faded from T20I plans, even as India seeks more left-handers.

Team management like left-hand options. They used Axar Patel as a floating No. 5 during the Champions Trophy win last year. Selectors still see Jaiswal as a high-impact player in ODIs. He is already a Test opener with runs overseas.

At 24, many in Indian cricket see him as part of the present. They feel he needs a steady ODI run before the 2027 World Cup. That may even mean easing out Rohit, who once called Jaiswal his "garden mein ghoomne wala ladka".