T20 World Cup 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal blamed for putting Rohit Sharma puzzled; Virat Kohli comes into the mix

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over Yashasvi Jaiswal's current poor form for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2024 and its potential impact on India's opening combination at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Pathan, the former World Cup winners, emphasized the significance of Jaiswal being a left-handed batter, which he believes gives an extra advantage to Team India with an element of unpredictability for opposing teams over their bowling strategy.

However, the commentator further noted that Jaiswal's inclusion in India’s playing XI would not encourage the opposing teams to start with a left-arm spinner, but his lack of form in the ongoing IPL 2024 might lead the Indian cricket team management to reconsider their opening combination.

Pathan believes that the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma must open with Jaiswal at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 for the crucial left-right combo, but the RR opener’s form could force the team to opt to consider Virat Kohli as the senior opener’s partner in the mega event.

Virat Kohli's form puts pressure on struggling Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening role at T20 World Cup 2024

The former Indian all-rounder admitted that the team management will consider whether they should open with in-form Kohli alongside Rohit in the global event, as the former skipper is in great form with the bat for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as an opener in the ongoing IPL 2023.

The dashing right-hander is currently the leading run- scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, with 661 runs from 13 games in the tournament so far. Kohli’s red-hot form as the RCB opener could go against Yashasvi, and Pathan feels the young sensation must rediscover his form before the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 to provide stability to India's batting lineup.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports: “It's a massive area of concern because I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal should start in the World Cup as he is a left-handed batter. So, the opposing team won't start with a left-arm spinner. They will hesitate a little if he is in form.

However, in this form, the team will think twice. The team will think whether they should open with in-form Virat Kohli alongside Rohit Sharma, or go with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is young and inexperienced. So, it's extremely necessary for him to come in form.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal's form will trouble Rajasthan Royals a lot: Irfan Pathan

Notably, Yashasvi has so far managed only 348 runs at a below-par average of 29 despite scoring a century in his 13 appearances for the Royals in the ongoing IPL 2024. However, the young opener has a couple of games in the tournament to regain his form ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2024.

Pathan signed off by saying, “The good thing for Yashasvi is that he will get chances because his team has qualified, and if they make a place in the top two, he will get more chances. Keeping that in mind, there are a few positive things for Yashasvi, but this form will trouble Rajasthan Royals a lot as well.”

Notably, the RR will play their final league game in the ongoing IPL 2024 against the table-topper Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 19 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati before kicking off their playoff campaign.