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Sadly, that’s the reality. A talented batter like Yashasvi Jaiswal won’t be an automatic choice for opener’s slot for the Champions Trophy and will have to wait for his chance to play ODI cricket. Only if Indian captain Rohit Sharma and his deputy Shubman Gull fail to get back to form will Jaiswal get the opportunity to play. Or else, he will be able to open the innings ony after Rohit retires from international cricket.
This is a common scenario in Indian cricket, where young talented players often have to wait for their opportunity, especially when the established players are still around.
The idea that Jaiswal might only get a regular spot in the ODI team if either of the current openers struggles or when Rohit retires is a reflection of the tough selection environment. It also reflects the reality that even a player as promising as Jaiswal may have to bide his time, waiting for the natural progression in the lineup, rather than being thrust into a starting role straightaway.
“Jaiswal should have been in the ODI side even in the 2023 World Cup. They took time to recognised him,” a former Indian coach told CricBlogger.
The team management’s preference for Gill over Jaiswal, much like how MS Dhoni and his leadership team backed Rohit during his early years, does indeed create a kind of imbalance, especially in terms of how opportunities are distributed among young players. While it’s understandable that selectors and management show confidence in a player like Gill—who has been inconsistent with the bat at the international level—the clear backing for him over Jaiswal might leave some fans and players questioning the rationale behind this approach if this trend continues for a long time.
The comparison to how Rohit was nurtured by Dhoni and Co. is apt because it reflects a similar scenario where an emerging talent gets backing from the senior players and management, even in the face of competition. However, it also means that talented players like Jaiswal may find themselves in a waiting game, even if their Test and IPL form suggests they could have a role to play sooner rather than later.
The backing for Gill can be seen as part of the broader strategy to build a settled opening pair, with the assumption that continuity and consistency are important for long-term success. But the imbalance is a real concern. When one player is constantly given preference, it can stifle the development of another equally talented individual, like Jaiswal, who might be ready but has to wait for a break. This sort of dynamic can create frustration, not just for the players but also for the fans who want to see fresh talent given a chance to prove itself.
Such situations often lead to a kind of “logjam” where the younger talent, though in-form, has to wait for the established players to either falter or retire. In the long run, it could lead to missed opportunities for the team to integrate fresh blood and adapt to changing dynamics, particularly when the current openers are near or at their peak, as in the case of Rohit. While the backing of established players is important, the management will have to find a way to balance the need for continuity with providing younger players the space to stake their claim.
