India solidified their dominance in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead with a commanding six-wicket victory in the second T20I at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Sunday, January 14. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stole the spotlight with a blistering knock, amassing 68 runs off 34 balls, featuring five fours and five sixes.
Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 63* off 32 balls further propelled India to triumph. Jaiswal’s T20I career has been nothing short of spectacular, accumulating 498 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 35.57 and a striking strike rate of 163.81. His notable achievements include one century and four fifties.
Aakash Chopra, former Indian cricketer turned commentator, believes Jaiswal’s stellar performances make him indispensable in the T20I squad, surpassing the likes of Shubman Gill.
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“Yashasvi is going. Again, the way he is batting. You will feel it would be unfair if you do not take him. Sometimes you are undroppable, meaning he is selectable. That is why he is here, making runs. Now he has gone beyond (Shubman) Gill. But now you will not be able to touch him,” remarked Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra emphatically stated that the team should refrain from contemplating dropping Jaiswal, as doing so could lead to a monotonous batting lineup with players operating at the same tempo. Urging the team to embrace diversity in playing styles, he emphasized the need for a dynamic approach in the lineup.
“You should not even try for it (not selecting Jaiswal) because you need something like this while batting. Otherwise, it will be the same as 2022; again and again, everything will be the same, the style of playing will be the same, and only the year has changed,” added Aakash Chopra.
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In contrast, Shubman Gill has faced challenges in the T20I format, amassing 335 runs in 14 innings at an average of 25.76, with only two fifty-plus scores, including one century. Gill’s recent struggles, accumulating just 40 runs in the last four innings, have seen him slip behind Jaiswal in the race for a spot in the playing XI.
As India aims for a clean sweep against Afghanistan, the focus turns to the third T20I scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
