R Ashwin criticises selectors for omitting Yashasvi Jaiswal from New Zealand ODIs
Ashwin says Jaiswal's exclusion from the New Zealand ODIs is unfair and risks damaging his confidence.
Ravichandran Ashwin said it was unfair that Yashasvi Jaiswal was left out of India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour despite Shubman Gill missing the final two matches. Jaiswal last played an ODI in June 2026, when he scored 110 against Afghanistan. Ashwin argued that the lack of game time could damage the opener's confidence ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The BCCI named separate squads for the first three ODIs and the final two matches. Gill leads the first phase, while Shreyas Iyer takes over for the last two games. Jaiswal was named only in the Test squad and the India A side.
Ashwin said selectors should have offered Jaiswal the chance to play the final two ODIs rather than sending him straight to India A matches. He noted that Jaiswal has scored two centuries in his last three ODIs.
CricHubb Take
Leaving Jaiswal out of the final two ODIs hands a potential long-term opener less preparation time before the 2027 World Cup than the selectors appear willing to accept.