T20 World Cup 2024: Ian Bishop bats for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s inclusion in India’s playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s spot in India’s playing XI is under massive threat. As per reports, star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to open in the match against Ireland on June 5 and Jaiswal will have to wait for an opportunity. The youngster had a rough time in the early part of the IPL and regained form in the middle but could not finish well. That played a role in him missing out on the playing XI, as India’s goal is to fit in an extra all-rounder.

However, former cricketer Ian Bishop is not a fan of the idea as he wants India to play Jaiswal at the top of the order. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that Jaiswal’s form is good enough to make it to India’s squad and analysed that it would help the Men in Blue as they don’t have a left-hand batter in the top order. 

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“There has been a little bit of concern with his (Jaiswal's) form in the IPL. But if you think his form is good enough to be in the team, then I want Jaiswal at the top, particularly because he is left-handed. If Jaiswal is in that XI, he brings quality when he is formed, and also the left-handedness. So you're asking different questions of the bowling opposition,” Bishop was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Kohli missed the warm-up game against Bangladesh and interestingly, the team management tested Sanju Samson at the top of the order, despite having Jaiswal in the mix. That might indicate that the team management is not considering Jaiswal as their primary option in the T20 World Cup. In case, either of Kohli or Rohit flops, the youngster may make his way.

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Skipper Rohit meanwhile kept the door open for all the all-rounders. Ahead of their match against Ireland, the 37-year-old noted that they have plenty of options to choose from and added that given the conditions, spin all-rounders such as Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel hold the edge over others.