Although Rajasthan Royals fell short of qualifying for the IPL 2023 playoffs, they witnessed exceptional cricket from their young opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal emerged as the team’s highest run-scorer and currently sits in fourth place in the Orange Cap race. Throughout the campaign, he showcased his batting prowess, accumulating 625 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 48.08 and a striking strike rate of 163.61. Jaiswal’s outstanding performance included a century and five half-centuries, with a remarkable high score of 124.
The uncapped player caught the attention of fans and experts alike with his impeccable shot selection and ability to find gaps in the field. Such was his impact that it even diverted attention from the struggling star opener, Jos Buttler. Praising Jaiswal on JioCinema, former RCB player AB de Villiers expressed his admiration for the young talent, calling him his favorite player of IPL 2023. De Villiers highlighted Jaiswal’s complete repertoire of shots, as well as his composed temperament at the crease, emphasizing his ability to dominate bowlers while appearing in control of his innings.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal for me and by a long margin for sure. He is a young player and has got all the shots in the book. He has a calm and composed temperament at the wicket and I love what he does, dominating the bowlers and always looks like he is in control,” he said.
De Villiers also drew a comparison between Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, stating that while Gill is slightly older, Jaiswal has immense potential and a long journey ahead, possessing all the attributes required to become a great player in the future. Despite Rajasthan Royals finishing the league phase in fifth place, missing out on the playoffs, Jaiswal’s contributions were vital. His impressive performances compensated for Buttler’s dip in form during the season.
