'He's looking a little bit off-colour; trying too hard' - Wasim Jaffer criticizes Yashasvi Jaiswal despite scoring fifty vs PBKS

Rajasthan Royals' opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal may have returned to form with a fifty against Punjab Kings, but not everyone was impressed, especially former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer. Despite the Royals registering a comfortable 50-run win in Match 18 of IPL 2025 on Saturday in New Chandigarh, Jaffer expressed his concerns over the RR opener's approach and form during the innings and calling the knock underwhelming despite the numbers.

Leading into the game, the Southpaw was under pressure for more than just his batting. With scores of 1, 29, and 4 in the previous matches, his form was dipping. Additionally, his controversial decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the domestic circuit had grabbed attention. However, he scored a 67-run knock as RR batted first

"He shouldn't be looking to play Ranji Trophy. For somebody like him, he should be playing for India in all three formats. That should be his focus. No matter what Goa was offering him. You don't leave Mumbai, especially at this age [Jaiswal is 23]. It's okay if somebody is 34-35 then you want to go out. That must have prompted him to take this decision, but I think leaving Mumbai is a shocking decision," Jaffer said via ESPNcricinfo.

"He's a powerhouse. Somebody who has played from Under-14s to now, for Mumbai, and Goa being a plate-group team that has just come into the elite group - for him to go and play there, whatever time he will spend on first-class cricket, I am surprised he's taken that decision so soon," the ex-India cricketer added.

Batting first, the Rajasthan-based franchise posted a formidable 205/4. Jaiswal top-scored for the side, including five sixes and three fours in his knock, while Riyan Parag scored 43 off 25. RR’s innings was anchored by their season-best opening partnership, 89 runs between Jaiswal and Sanju Samson (38). Though Lockie Ferguson troubled them back in the middle overs with wickets, Parag and Dhruv Jurel (13* off 5) ensured a comfortable finish, making 55 runs in the final three overs.

In reply, the opposition lost their top-order early, with 26/3 inside four overs. Despite an 88-run stand between Nehal Wadhera (62 off 41) and Glenn Maxwell (30 off 21), the rest of the line-up collapsed. Jofra Archer ended with 3/25, earning the Player of the Match award. Despite being the top scorer, Jaiswal’s innings was the slowest fifty of his IPL career, taking 40 balls, and Jaffer criticized the approach with which the Uttar Pradesh-born played.

"But he shouldn't be looking to play Ranji Trophy. For somebody like him, he should be playing for India in all three formats. That should be his focus. I'm sure it [the move] is playing on his mind. Because that has been happening in this week or two. But yes, runs from him is very, very vital for Rajasthan Royals. He's looking a little bit off-colour; trying too hard, trying too hard, too early," the former added.

He'll be quite disappointed to get out: Mark Boucher

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher agrred with what Jaffer expressed. Boucher referred to the 17 run he scored in the five balls and lasted after getting to the feat, he hit a six the ball after he got to fifty, and went 1, 6, 4 off the next three before getting out

"Getting to fifty, I think he faced close to 40 balls. Then the next five balls after that, he was at an incredible strike rate. It's almost like he just needed to be there for another two or three overs in order for him to have that match-winning innings that we all know he is very capable of, and he has done in the past. He'll be quite disappointed to get out when he did actually get out. It was at that point where it was the tipping edge for him [to play] a very significant knock," Boucher said.