Jaiswal Emerges as Frontrunner to Become India’s Next Three-Format Superstar, Says Former Selector
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India’s quest for a multi-format superstar may have found its answer in 23-year-old batsman Yashaswi Jaiswal, according to former Indian opener and chief selector Chris Srikkanth. While pacer Harshit Rana has garnered significant praise as a top performer across all formats, Srikkanth believes Jaiswal possesses the natural talent to dominate Test, ODI, and T20I cricket.
Rana’s Rise and Current Standing
Harshit Rana has quickly established himself as a key player for India. Making his international debut in a Test match in Perth on November 22, 2024, Rana has since featured in two Tests, five One Day Internationals, and three Twenty20 Internationals. The Delhi-born pacer was a vital component of India’s successful campaigns at the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup earlier this year. He was also selected for India’s upcoming white-ball series in Australia on October 4th, further solidifying his position in the national team.
Srikkanth Champions Jaiswal’s All-Format Potential
However, Srikkanth has publicly endorsed Jaiswal as the next cricketer capable of excelling in all three international formats. The former selector shared his assessment on his YouTube channel, highlighting Jaiswal’s exceptional batting skills. Jaiswal recently showcased his talent with a remarkable 175 runs in the first innings of the second India-West Indies Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
“100% he (Jaiswal) is a player who plays in all three formats, no two ways about it,” Srikkanth stated emphatically. He further elaborated on Jaiswal’s strengths, noting his strong performance in T20 cricket and potential for success in ODIs, despite limited opportunities.
A Natural Game and Aggressive Approach
Srikkanth emphasized Jaiswal’s ability to maintain his natural playing style, even against challenging bowlers. “His game is natural, he plays his natural game without changing it. He attacks even the medium pacers and breaks them sometimes,” he explained. This aggressive approach, combined with his technical proficiency, is what sets Jaiswal apart, according to the former selector.
Limited ODI Opportunities, Bright Future
Despite his talent, Jaiswal’s ODI career is still in its nascent stages. He made his debut against England in Nagpur on February 6, 2025, but has only participated in one 50-over match to date. While he has been included in the Indian squad for the upcoming ODIs in Australia, securing a place in the playing eleven may prove challenging.
Srikkanth acknowledged this lack of opportunity, but remains optimistic about Jaiswal’s future prospects. A graphic illustrating Jaiswal’s ODI career statistics would be beneficial here.
Sudarshan Also on the Radar
Beyond Jaiswal, Srikkanth also acknowledged the promising performance of young batsman Sai Sudarshan. The former chief selector underscored the importance of emerging players like Sudarshan consistently delivering impactful scores.
Srikkanth remains confident that Yashaswi Jaiswal’s inherent talent will propel him to become a future star for India across all formats, while also recognizing Harshit Rana’s impressive contributions. The coming years promise an exciting glimpse into the next generation of Indian cricket, as fans eagerly anticipate which players will rise to prominence.
