As the World Cup 2023 approaches, the Indian cricket team is grappling with a selection problem for the opening batsman positions. Initially, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were the preferred opening combination. However, the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, with his outstanding performances and debut Test century, has ignited fresh discussions among former players and experts, advocating for his inclusion in the squad.
While the debate intensifies, Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, has praised Jaiswal’s achievements and expressed his belief that the young left-handed batsman’s presence in the team is crucial.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable rise in cricket began during the 2023 IPL season, where his performances caught the selectors’ attention. He received his first national call-up for the tour of the West Indies and made a dream debut with a sensational century, scoring a record-breaking 171 runs in India’s innings victory. In doing so, he joined Sourav Ganguly on the list of debut centurions and broke Ganguly’s 27-year-old Asian record for most runs in a debut Test match away from home.
Sourav Ganguly, who experienced the joy of scoring a century on debut, commended Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exceptional achievement. Ganguly highlighted the significance of a debut century and acknowledged Jaiswal’s impressive technique as a left-handed batsman. Stressing the value of having a left-handed opener in the team, Ganguly expressed his belief that Jaiswal’s inclusion in India’s World Cup 2023 squad is crucial.
“Scoring a hundred on debut is always massive. I too have done it, so I know how special it is. Even technique-wise, he seems really good. A left-handed batsman’s presence in the team always helps. So, having him in the World Cup squad is a must,” said Ganguly.
ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Announced, Click Here To Check Full Schedule
Despite the strong endorsements from pundits and former players, Yashasvi Jaiswal was not included in the ODI series in West Indies. Instead, he was selected for the Asian Games 2023, which mainly comprises players not considered for the World Cup, due to scheduling conflicts with the quadrennial event. The Indian selectors and team management find themselves in a complex puzzle as they weigh the merits of each opening batsman option before finalizing the World Cup squad.
