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In the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, India will face New Zealand for 5 ODIs. The series is not just another bilateral contest; it is crucial for the preparations of the Indian cricket team. Through the preparations, the selectors and the team management will be able to find out the best possible group of players to represent the team for the world event. Ahead of that, the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the ODI squad raised many unanswered questions.
Why did the selectors go against selecting Jaiswal for the ODIs against New Zealand? As of now, there is no concrete answer. Former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that the decision to ignore Jaiswal for the crucial series is 'very unfortunate'.
Yashasvi Jaiswal used to be Team India's back-up opener in ODIs
India's regular ODI captain Shubman Gill will not be available for the last two matches of the five-ODI series. KL Rahul will also be on rest during the fourth and fifth ODIs. It is clear that the team management will have to form a fresh opening pair.
A few months ago, Yashasvi Jaiswal was positioned as the back-up opener. He played against Afghanistan at home as the replacement for injured Virat Kohli. In his last ODI match for India, Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 110 in Chennai. From being looked at as a back-up option to nowhere near the squad, the way the team management has been treating the batter is not going well with Ravichandran Ashwin.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's confidence is being completely ruined: Ravichandran Ashwin
During a YouTube discussion video, the former Team India spinner claimed that in the absence of Shubman Gill, Jaiswal deserves to get opportunities. There are reasons behind the absences of Gill and Rahul, but why is there no Yashasvi Jaiswal in the ODI squad? Ashwin raised the question.
"If Shubman Gill is not playing the last two ODIs, then Jaiswal should definitely get that spot. It is very unfortunate because all of this can ruin his confidence... I can understand Shubman Gill's situation because he is travelling. I can also understand KL Rahul's situation. But Yashasvi Jaiswal has no game time at all," R Ashwin said.
Ashwin observed that Jaiswal is struggling with his batting recently. According to him, the dilemma in team selection has ruined the batter's confidence.
"However, his confidence is being completely ruined. I do not know, but if you look at his batting, he is not batting the way he used to bat two or three years ago," Ashwin said, almost fuming over the situation. The former cricketer continued.
The non-selection of Yashasvi Jaiswal is 'unfair'
Ravichandran Ashwin further expressed that the selectors need to give Jaiswal chances to bring back his confidence. The omission of the southpaw completely from the ODI team is unfair to Ashwin.
"He was a run machine. If his confidence is getting ruined, it is the job of the team management and selectors to give him an opportunity wherever possible. But he has not been getting those opportunities at all. It has not gone to him. And it is very unfair," he continued.
