As India prepares for the upcoming tour of South Africa without key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, attention turns to potential successors in the team’s top order. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif, speaking exclusively to Firstpost on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket tournament, highlighted Yashasvi Jaiswal as a promising candidate to fill the void left by the absent stalwarts.
“Jaiswal is ready, he will take over. Because I’ve seen him in the IPL and I’ve seen him in domestic cricket. I judge a player by his Ranji form, how he plays in four-day matches, then different leagues. IPL is the toughest league in the world and he’s dominating over there,” expressed Kaif, emphasizing Jaiswal’s readiness to step up.
Jaiswal’s impressive journey began in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, and his standout performances continued with a prolific IPL 2023 season, amassing 625 runs for the Rajasthan Royals. Notably, his recent displays in the T20I series against Australia showcased his prowess, notably with a brisk 25-ball 53 in Thiruvananthapuram.
“There is an X-factor about his batting,” Kaif added, praising Jaiswal’s skills with the bat and pointing out the southpaw’s stellar First-Class record as an indicator of his potential.
With discussions surfacing about succession planning for Rohit and Kohli, both past the age of 35, Jaiswal emerges as a prospect to secure a permanent position in the Indian top-order lineup. The absence of these stalwarts has raised queries about the team’s composition and long-term strategy.
Kaif’s insights also touched upon India’s recent performances in the ICC World Cup and the leadership of Rohit Sharma. He lauded Rohit’s captaincy, acknowledging his commitment and exceptional performance throughout the tournament, nearly joining the exclusive club of World-Cup winning captains.
Reflecting on Rahul Dravid’s extended tenure as head coach, Kaif drew parallels between Dravid’s approach and the successful coaching styles of Gary Kirsten, stressing the significance of keeping the captain at the forefront in the Indian cricketing culture.
Dravid’s learning from past coaching experiences, notably Greg Chappell’s era, highlighted the importance of maintaining the captain’s prominence on the field, a crucial element for success in the Indian setup.
Amidst ongoing discussions about potential successors and coaching strategies, Jaiswal’s emergence as a frontrunner to fill the shoes of the seasoned veterans offers a glimpse into India’s future top-order dynamics. As the team navigates the absence of key figures, the spotlight shifts towards the promising young talent waiting to make their mark in international cricket.
