Yashasvi Jaiswal set to make ODI debut? Mohammad Kaif hails all-format batter

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif wants the Indian team management led by Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to let Yashasvi Jaiswal make his debut in the ODI format as well. Kaif claimed that Jaiswal is a special talent who has all the makings to become a consistent performer across all 3 formats. The former cricketer turned pundit made this admission after Jaiswal’s sensational debut home Test series against England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal topped the run-scoring chart in the Anthony De Mello Trophy 2024 series and was far ahead of any other Indian or English batter in the series. He played a key role in India’s comeback after losing the 1st Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs to go on and win the next 4 Tests in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamshala.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s performance in the Test series as it went

He displayed the signs of a successful series in the 1st Test itself when he scored 80 in the 2nd innings before scoring 15 during the run-chase. Then in the 2nd Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his second triple-digit score by converting his century into a classical Test match double hundred as well as 17 in the 2nd innings as India claimed victory by 106 runs.

In the 3rd Test, things got better for Jaiswal in the 2nd innings where he racked up another double hundred after scoring just 10 in the 1st. Jaiswal partnered with fellow Mumbai batter and debutant Sarfaraz Khan to post a 557-run target which England lost by 434 runs at the Niranjan Shah stadium.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat remained relatively quiet in the 4th and 5th Tests as he scored 73 and 37 in Ranchi and 57 from only one innings at Dharamshala. He eventually finished with 712 runs from 9 innings and received the Man of the Series award.

All of this intrigued many former cricketers who have showered appreciation on Jaiswal and Mohammad Kaif has become the latest.

Kaif claims Yashasvi Jaiswal has a great defensive as well as offensive technique

Mohammad Kaif first asked his former teammate Rahul Dravid to hand him his ODI debut because he is an all-format player and secondly praised the left-hander for his technique. Kaif highlighted that Jaiswal has a great defensive as well as offensive technique which enables him to adapt according to the format’s requirements.

Kaif also highlighted Yashasvi Jaiswal’s flamboyance and fearless attitude to take on bowlers from the word go and shift gears, from 1st to 7th within the blink of an eye.

“The sample size is very small but we have been seeing Jaiswal for many years. We have seen him in the Ranji Trophy and the IPL. He played splendidly in the IPL and he is an incredible player. He has not yet made his ODI debut.”

“Give him an ODI debut as well. He is an all-format player, whether you talk about ODIs, T20s or Tests. As a batter, he has both defensive and attacking techniques,” Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports.

Yashasvi Jaiswal will be back in action when Rajasthan Royals play their opening IPL game against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24th at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.