Former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has expressed strong views on the selection for India's upcoming T20 World Cup squad, stating that young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal should have been the first player considered for a return after Shubman Gill was dropped.
Chopra's Logical Argument for Jaiswal
Chopra built a compelling case for the left-handed batsman. He pointed out that Jaiswal was part of the triumphant Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, although he did not get a game due to a settled playing XI. The analyst emphasized Jaiswal's proven ability, reminding everyone that the youngster has already scored centuries in all three formats of the game, a feat achieved by only five other Indians.
"The way Yashasvi plays, logically, he should come in the team first, and he was there," Chopra stated. He noted that Jaiswal was considered ahead in the pecking order until a series of Test matches shifted focus. In the interim, other players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson seized their opportunities at the top, complicating the selection picture.
The Gill Conundrum and Samson's Role
Chopra explained how the dynamics changed when the team management not only brought in Shubman Gill but also appointed him as the vice-captain, making him virtually undroppable. "I had picked Yashasvi in the Asia Cup team I had picked. However, Shubman became the vice-captain, and the rest, as they say, is history," he observed, suggesting this move sidelined Jaiswal.
With Gill now omitted from the squad for the mega event starting on February 7, 2026, Chopra questioned if Jaiswal could have been recalled. He reasoned that the selection of Sanju Samson as the primary wicketkeeper-opener meant a backup keeper who could open was necessary, a role Jaiswal does not fill. This practical requirement, according to Chopra, ultimately kept Jaiswal out.
A Waiting Game and IPL Importance
The commentator expressed sympathy for the talented batsman, who has been consistently scoring runs since 2023. "It's very hard not to feel for Yashasvi," Chopra said, acknowledging the player's long wait for a sustained opportunity in the shortest format despite his performances.
Chopra concluded that the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season will be crucial for Jaiswal's future prospects. He implied that strong performances there could force the selectors' hand. Despite the retirements of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma creating potential openings, Jaiswal's path back to the national T20 side remains on hold, a situation Chopra finds logically inconsistent with the player's talent and record.
