Yashasvi Jaiswal is ready for international level, only going to get better: Deep Dasgupta

Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta heaped praise on Yashasvi Jaiswal, saying that the left-handed batter looks ready for international cricket. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had formed a decent opening combination for India in red-ball cricket. They averaged just under 36 in 18 innings. However, the dependable Chesteshwar Pujara lost his form and was dropped for the two-match Test series against the West Indies. 

Mumbai opener Jaiswal replaced the experienced campaigner in India's playing XI in the Caribbean as Gill sacrificed his opening slot and moved to No. 3 to make room for Jaiswal. While Gill could not impress much at the new position, Jaiswal made the opening slot his own by smashing a big century in his maiden Test innings in the first match in the Dominica Test, amassing 171 off 387 to stamp his authority. In the second Test, Jaiswal registered scores of 57 off 74 and 38 off 30 to give another glimpses of his talent.

However, Dasgupta pointed out that there will be tougher challenges in store for him on the upcoming tours. 

"That is a big, big positive. The way he batted, he (Yashasvi Jaiswal) looked comfortable. But again, he will face a lot sterner challenges going forward in this format," Dasgupta said during a conversation on ESPNcricinfo.

"The next series itself is going to be a huge challenge against South Africa. But I think what we have seen so far, it seems like he is comfortable and he is ready for this level. He is only going to get better. This was his first outing and he looked so good," he added.

Jaiswal had a prolific IPL 2023 season and it was not a surprise when the selectors named him in India's T20I side for the five-match series against West Indies. The three opening options for India in the aforementioned series are Ishan Kishan, Gill and Jaiswal. The experienced duo of Gill and Kishan could start the series, however, Jaiswal is likely to get a game or two.