NEW DELHI: The 2024 ICC
T20 World Cup
is rapidly approaching, with the West Indies and USA set to host this year's tournament in the game's shortest format. For many players participating, these host countries present unfamiliar playing conditions, raising questions about the adaptations needed to perform well on such wickets.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
's coach, father figure, and mentor,
Jwala Singh
, shared his belief that the young Indian prodigy "will be opening the innings" for the Indian team.
Although the West Indies may not frequently host tours and tournaments, it is the country where Jaiswal first made his mark for India. The 22-year-old made his debut at Windsor Park in Rosea, Dominica, scoring an impressive 171 runs to lead India to a commanding victory in a Test match they won by an innings and 141 runs.
Jaiswal also possesses an excellent T20I record, having only ever opened as a batsman in this format. In his 16 innings for India, he has scored four fifties and one century, maintaining a strike rate of 161.93.
"This debate rang out earlier too in Test cricket when he was going to the West Indies. Many people used to say he would play at number 3 because (Cheteshwar) Pujara was out of the team and that was the only spot. But, I believe when he played, the team management put in much trust in him... Shubman Gill played at the number 3 spot. As far as I know him, I think he would like to open the innings and rest team management, captain, and coaches will decide," Jwala said.
Jwala also discussed at length how he believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a significant role in the excellent mental development of Yashasvi's game. The IPL has enabled the explosive left-handed batsman to "Grown to be quite mature and he (Jaiswal) now knows how to adapt in the different formats of the game and also how to help his team in different situations.
ALSO SEE: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule
"He certainly took his time in the beginning starting from the Mumbai Indians U-16, India U-19. He scored only 20 runs on his Ranji Debut, and 44 on his Vijay Hazare debut so he surely takes his time. I think ever since he started playing in the IPL, in the last two seasons he has grown to be quite mature and he now knows how to adapt to the different formats of the game and also how to help his team in different situations.
"The World Cup is a huge stage for him and if
Ravi Shastri
has praised him then he surely must have observed his game before making the comments. I hope, as a coach, father figure and mentor, that he go and play good cricket and end the ICC trophy drought that the Indian cricket team has had. I will be very very happy," he said.
(Inputs from IANS)
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