Team India’s young star Yashasvi Jaiswal has been underwhelming in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. With captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer ruled out due to injuries, Jaiswal received a golden opportunity to prove himself in the One-Day format. But instead of grabbing it with confidence, he has let it slip through his fingers.
Although Jaiswal has already emerged as a key performer for India in Test cricket, his ODI journey remains extremely limited. Before the South Africa series, he had played only one ODI — his debut against England at Nagpur earlier this year in February, where he scored just 15 runs off 22 balls. Despite his strong potential, he has not yet produced a significant knock in this format.
High Competition, Limited Chances — And Jaiswal Isn’t Making Use of Them
Earning a place in India’s white-ball teams has become extremely challenging. With so many skilled players fighting for every position, even a single opportunity is precious. When both Gill and Iyer were sidelined, Jaiswal earned a call-up for the ODI series. This was the moment to show character and secure his place.
Instead, he has struggled. In the first two ODIs against South Africa — held in Ranchi and Raipur — he failed to convert his starts into big innings. The third and final ODI will take place in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (December 6), and it might be his last chance to make an impression in this series.
Irfan Pathan’s Take: “Those Few Overs Cost Him Big”
Jaiswal scored 18 runs from 16 balls (2 fours, 1 six) in the first ODI and 22 runs from 38 balls (2 fours, 1 six) in the second. He had a good platform in the Raipur match but couldn’t push on to a bigger total. Across the three ODIs he has played in his entire career, he has scored only 55 runs at an average of 18.3. His 22 in Raipur is still his highest ODI score.
In contrast, Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased maturity and grabbed his chance with a brilliant century. His performance has widened the gap between him and Jaiswal in the competition for an opening spot.
Fielding Concerns Add to the Pressure
Jaiswal’s struggles aren’t limited to batting alone. His fielding has also come under scrutiny. During the England tour earlier, he dropped several crucial catches, leading to heavy criticism. The issue resurfaced in the recent Raipur ODI as well.
He dropped a straightforward catch at the boundary when Aiden Markram was on 53. Markram went on to score a match-changing 110. This missed opportunity proved very costly for India. On the other hand, young Tilak Varma displayed brilliant awareness on the boundary line, saving a certain six with exceptional athleticism. Commentators even highlighted the difference between the two fielding performances during the match.
Experts have pointed out that Jaiswal urgently needs to improve his fielding standards if he hopes to survive in India’s competitive environment.
