Ravichandran Ashwin urges selectors to give Yashasvi Jaiswal a go in T20Is ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin wants Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to give Yashasvi Jaiswal a go in T20Is ahead of the next World Cup in 2026. Jaiswal was named in the reserves for the Asia Cup as India picked Shubman Gill as their vice-captain.

Gill opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma but failed to come up with consistent performances. The right-hander scored 127 runs in seven innings at an average of 21.17 and a strike rate of 151.19.

On the other hand, Jaiswal had scored 559 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 159.71.

“Before deciding on the T20 World Cup squad, please give Yashasvi Jaiswal a go. Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma together, I know that they are both left-handers, but that is one thing I would love for a trial,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh played only two matches in the Asia Cup and both of these games were dead rubbers. Ashwin wants India to play the left-arm seamer in the final XI and also backed Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav to play together.

“I did not even have a little doubt about India’s chances at the Asia Cup. What are India’s learnings from the Asia Cup? Abhishek Sharma is a super hit. Please play Arshdeep Singh. The pairing of Kuldeep and Varun is a proper binding going into the T20 World Cup. They have to be included together somehow. Do you want to continue this Shivam Dube experiment? All of this experimentation has been a little all over the place. I like this experimentation, if it is done constructively, because it gives you a lot of clarity,” he elaborated.

On the other hand, Ashwin said Shivam Dube played an instrumental role in India’s Asia Cup triumph. Dube conceded 23 runs in three overs he bowled against Pakistan in the final whereas he also scored 33 runs off 22 balls to add the finishing touches in the run-chase of 147.

“I’ve repeatedly said that Arshdeep should be in the playing XI. The reason we won the game today was Shivam Dube, I agree with that. He performed well in his role, bowled well in the first two overs, and played an important knock as well. He is an incredibly useful cricketer in this format, I have no doubts. But, when you are taking that route, you are benching a bowler like Arshdeep,” Ashwin said.

“I understand everyone wants batting till No.8, but even today after being 20-3, Rinku Singh came to bat in the last over. I understand that the game’s fate is undecided till the last over. But Arshdeep or Kuldeep can still come out and hit those 2-3 runs, we have to prepare them for that,” he concluded.

India will next play the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home.