Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has put his weight behind Yashasvi Jaiswal to become an all-format player for India. Currently, Jaiswal is playing for India in Test format only however he is soon expected to get his chances in other two forms of the game.
The left-hander is part of the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia but captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are expected to open the innings.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal scored an impressive knock of 175 runs in the first innings against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi in the second Test. Jaiswal also scored 411 runs in five Test matches against England and scored a crucial knock of 118 runs in second innings at the Kennington Oval, London.
“I think it’s only a matter of time. You will find Yashasvi Jaiswal being blooded in all formats one by one. He has already played T20Is, and he scored a hundred as well. He plays very well in the IPL. He was part of the T20 World Cup team as well. After that, Shubman Gill went ahead of him in the race from the leadership perspective,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator backs Jaiswal to get his opportunity in ODIs ahead of in-form Abhishek Sharma.
“Shubman became a part of the Asia Cup team. Yashasvi is still not there. He will break into the team. You won’t be able to keep him far for long, although an interesting discussion has started about whether you want to play Abhishek Sharma in ODIs. I feel Yashasvi might get a chance before him, and should as well. If Yashasvi and Shubman Gill open in ODIs, you might not even miss Rohit then,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal scored 559 runs in IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals and Chopra believes a 700-800-run season is not far for the opening batter.
“In T20 cricket, I feel his best IPL season has not come yet. A 750 to 800-run IPL season will definitely come for him because he is that kind of player. He has the hunger and stroke making is par excellence. The combination of the two is magical,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer reckons Jaiswal might force Shubman Gill to bat at one drop in T20Is.
“Whenever you give Yashasvi a chance, he will grab it, and when he grabs it, then you won’t miss others. Shubman Gill might go to No. 3 in T20 cricket and Yashasvi might open. By the World Cup, I feel he will become a part of the team, and might be seen playing in the XI after the World Cup,” Chopra observed.
India will next take on Australia in the first ODI at Perth on Sunday.
