Yashasvi Jaiswal’s breathtaking performance in the Rajasthan Royals’ recent match against KKR, took the cricketing world by surprise.
With Nitish Rana warming up to bowl the first over, it seemed like a strategic move. However, Yashasvi turned the tables on Rana, smashing 26 runs off his bowling. What followed was an extraordinary innings, as Yashasvi went on to score the fastest fifty in IPL history in just 13 balls. He remained unbeaten on 98, helping the Rajasthan Royals secure a comfortable victory.
Graeme Smith, the former South African captain and current IPL expert on JioCinema, expressed his admiration for Yashasvi’s growth and transformation in the IPL 2023 season. Smith has closely followed the 21-year-old’s career, both in domestic cricket and the IPL, and has witnessed his development into a dynamic batter. Yashasvi’s ability to find gaps, his stroke play on the off side, and the improvement in his leg-side game have impressed Smith.
One aspect that particularly amazed Smith was Yashasvi’s performance against spinners. Out of his 575 runs in 12 innings this season, 199 came against spinners at a strike rate of 155.5 without being dismissed even once. Among the batters who have faced at least 75 deliveries of spin, Yashasvi is the only player to have not been dismissed, with his strike rate ranking third among Indians, behind Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson.
Smith also highlighted Yashasvi’s determination and ability to handle pressure as key attributes. The 21-year-old has shown great composure despite the expectations and pressure surrounding him. Yashasvi’s remarkable performances have led to calls for his inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup. Smith believes that Yashasvi has certainly made a strong case for selection, leaving the final decision in the hands of the selectors, who now face a pleasant dilemma due to the abundance of talent available.
While senior cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the injured KL Rahul are already established options, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill add to the selection conundrum. Yashasvi has undoubtedly made his mark and is a serious contender for a spot in the national team, according to Smith.
As Yashasvi continues to shine in the IPL, his performances have propelled him into the conversation for national team selection, providing the selectors with a happy headache as they consider their options for the World Cup.