Former Sri Lankan medium pacer Farveez Maharoof reckons it is a matter of time before Yashasvi Jaiswal gets his chance in India’s T20I team. Surprisingly, Jaiswal was not picked in India’s Asia Cup squad, but he is part of the stand-by players along with Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar. Jaiswal was also part of the winning squad in the 2024 World Cup, and he was picked as a backup opener.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal recently scored 411 runs in five Test matches against England at an average of 41.10. Jaiswal scored 559 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 159.71 for the Rajasthan Royals but Ajit Agarkar-led panel has backed Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
“I just can’t name one, but I just enjoy watching Yashasvi Jaiswal the way he carries on as an opening batter. He’s exuberant and he’s young, he takes it up his chin, and whenever he scores big, most of the time India goes on to win. So unfortunately, he’s not in the side, but I’m pretty sure it’s just a matter of time before Jaiswal will get his chance and he will nail that spot,” Maharoof said on India Today when asked which Indian cricketer excites him the most.
On the other hand, Maharoof picked India as the favorites for the upcoming continental tournament, whereas he feels Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the dark horses.
“Dark horses will be Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Favourites will be India as always, looking at the past record as well as the side on paper, the 15 players they have picked. But when it comes to T20 cricket, it’s a matter of on the day, a matter of just one over sometimes. So whoever plays on the particular day will probably end up being champions,” Maharoof added.
The Asia Cup will commence on 9th September.
