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Yashasvi Jaiswal has certainly done enough in Test cricket to merit a spot in India’s ODI team. His consistent performances, especially in challenging overseas conditions like Australia, demonstrate his readiness for the 50-over format. With his current inclusion in India’s T20 setup, Jaiswal could be a natural fit to open the batting in ODIs alongside either Shubman Gill or Rohit Sharma.
If Rohit follows the pattern seen during the West Indies tour, where he pushed Gill down to No. 3 to create a right-left combination with Jaiswal, it could lead to a reshuffle in the batting order. In such a scenario, Gill might again find himself demoted, and there’s even the possibility of Rohit moving to No. 4, given that Virat Kohli’s spot in the top order seems secure.
The question of who moves where is certainly a big one, but Jaiswal’s impressive performances in Tests, coupled with his domestic form, make his inclusion in the ODI team highly likely. His versatility and consistency could provide India with the flexibility needed in the top order.
Indeed, Jaiswal’s potential inclusion into India’s ODI squad could hark back to the era of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag, where the team successfully accommodated three openers. In that era, Ganguly, initially an opener, moved down the order to allow Sehwag to partner with Tendulkar at the top, creating a potent opening combination. Ganguly’s willingness to adapt and drop down the order for the team’s balance was a key factor in India’s success at the time.
If Jaiswal comes into the fold alongside Rohit and Shubman, there could be a similar reshuffling of roles. Like Ganguly did, one of the current openers may need to adjust their position to accommodate Jaiswal, ensuring the balance of the team. It would also help create a dynamic right-left combination at the top, which can be an advantage against opposition bowlers. This flexibility in the top order, coupled with the strong personalities of the players involved, could form a solid foundation for India’s ODI setup.
Once Rohit retires, the opening pair of Gill and Jaiswal could very well become India’s go-to combination. Jaiswal’s inclusion now, even before Rohit’s retirement, would be a smart move, allowing him to gain valuable experience at the highest level while building a partnership with Gill. This could give the team a long-term opening pair for the future, easing the transition once Rohit steps away from the game.
Now is indeed the ideal time to unleash someone like the Mumbai southpaw. He’s shown his potential in domestic cricket, and with the right exposure in ODIs, Jaiswal could evolve into a key player for India, not just as an opener but as a core member of the team for years to come. Giving him that opportunity now would allow him to grow into the role and be fully prepared to take over when the team shifts to a new era of leadership and batting combinations.
