Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has secured a place in the team for the T20 World Cup 2024. Aakash Chopra stated that it would be unfair if Yashasvi Jaiswal did not make the team for the ICC tournament.
Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat during India’s six-wicket victory in the second T20I against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday. Jaiswal provided an aggressive start in the powerplay. He scored 68 runs off 34 balls, including five boundaries and six maximums.
The 22-year-old’s aggressive approach set the tone for the Indian team during the chase. The Rohit Sharma-led team successfully chased the target of 173 runs with 26 balls to spare. The hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series.
It would be unfair if I didn’t take Yashasvi Jaiswal – Aakash Chopra
Speaking to JioCinema, Aakash Chopra stated that Yashasvi Jaiswal beat Shubman Gill for the top spot in the T20I team. Chopra said that if Jaiswal is not included in the squad, the team could replicate the T20 World Cup defeat with a similar approach.
“Yashasvi is leaving. Again, the way he is batting. You will feel that it would be unfair if you do not accept it. Sometimes he can’t be dropped, which means he’s selectable, that’s why he’s here making runs. He now he has gone beyond Gill. But now you won’t be able to touch it,” Chopra said.
“You shouldn’t even try it because you need something like this while batting. Otherwise it will be the same as in 2022 again and again everything will be the same, the style of play will be the same and only the year has changed,” Chopra added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive batting at the top of the order has had a significant impact on the Indian team. The left-handed batsman has amassed 498 runs at an impressive average of 35.57 and a strike rate of 163.81, including one century and four half-centuries.
Former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina also praised Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive and fearless approach at the top of the order. Raina mentioned Jaiswal’s success, which includes a century, during his recent tour of the West Indies.
“His work ethic is very good, he has a disciplined character, more than that he is not afraid of the first ball, he will go and show the same intention in the T20 World Cup. The good news is that we have already toured the West Indies and we have already scored a hundred in a Test match there,” Raina said.
Jaiswal had an impressive IPL season in 2023, amassing 625 runs at an average of 48.08 and a strike rate of 163.61. He made his debut in both Tests and T20Is against the West Indies last year. The batsman made a sensational Test debut with a 171-run knock in July.
The next T20 World Cup will be played in the Caribbean islands and the United States of America in June this year. Team India has failed to win the title since its successful campaign in the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2007.
Also Read: IND vs AFG scorecard, 2nd T20I highlights: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube’s brutal fifties take India home with 6 wickets
