How To Waste A Generational Talent: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI Snub Sparks Outrage
How To Waste A Generational Talent: Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s ODI Snub Sparks Outrage
Fans react to Yashasvi Jaiswal ODI omission [Source: BCCI, X]
On Tuesday afternoon, India announced their ODI and Test squads for the upcoming bilateral series against Afghanistan, which starts on June 6. One of the most notable snubs from the squad was the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was touted as India’s third-choice opener for the foreseeable future.
Shock and Disappointment
This comes as a shock for many after Jaiswal was constantly around the team for over 2-3 years, across formats, waiting for his opportunity, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set at the top. The last time he played for India in an ODI, he had also scored his maiden ODI century to improve his white-ball credentials as well.
Reacting to the shocker, the fans were left disappointed, who vented out their frustration towards the chief selectors and management on the internet.
Fans Criticise Jaiswal’s ODI Omission
Having made his Test and T20I debut in 2023, Jaiswal had to wait for his turn in the ODIs till the beginning of 2025. Just weeks ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, he made his debut in Nagpur against England, managing 15 off 22 before getting out. However, he was immediately swapped by Virat Kohli, who was back to full fitness for the next matches.
Jaiswal’s first real shot at ODIs came in November-December 2025, when Shubman Gill was out of the series with a neck injury, and Jaiswal was slotted in against South Africa. In the three matches, he scored 18(15), 22(38) and ended the series with 116*(121) in the series-decider.
Just when it looked like he had sealed his position as a reliable third opener, he is now replaced from the squad by Ishan Kishan, who is also a wicketkeeping option for the Indians. Upon the team announcement, people did not look happy and thought the southpaw should have been an automatic choice in the team, considering Rohit’s presence is subject to fitness.
Jaiswal- Victim of One-Dimensionness?
In the last 12-18 months, the Indian team management has been bullish in pushing forward the multi-dimensional players in the playing XIs across formats. Last year’s tour of England, where Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav finished the series without a Test match, was a great example of it.
Then, in the all-important T20 World Cup, when India were looking to replace Shubman Gill for the third opener after not-so-good outings in the Asia Cup and Australia, Jaiswal had the best possible T20I numbers to make it to the squad.
However, since Ishan Kishan, who had a great domestic season, was preferred over him, considering that he could keep the wickets as well.
A similar trend is being followed for the Afghanistan series, as Ishan Kishan is back in the team, and the absence of Jaiswal as well as Rishabh Pant opens up an extra slot for someone like Nitish Reddy to come in.
India ODI Squad vs Afghanistan
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.
India will play a solitary Test against Afghanistan from June 6 to 10, followed by a three-match ODI series, beginning from June 14.
Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja’s India Career Over? BCCI Breaks Silence After Snubbing Him From India’s Squad vs Afghanistan
Also Read: Who Is Gurnoor Brar? Shubman Gill’s Friend Set To Make India Debut In Afghanistan Series
