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India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has cemented his spot as Test opener but is still waiting for chances in white-ball cricket. After facing snub from the ODI side for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20I side for T20 Asia Cup 2025, Jaiswal was picked for the ODI series on Australian soil. However, the backup opener may continue spent his time on the bench as Shubman Gill is the captain and Rohit Sharma hasn’t had much game time of late. Ahead of the second ODI of the series at Adelaide Oval, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was asked about Jaiswal’s chances of playing in the series. Kotak gave a straightforward answer that only 11 can play and he will have to wait for his turn.
“I think he’s in the squad, in the practice, and they (other youngsters) are pretty much aware that their turn will come, and they prepare well. At the end of the day, only 11 can play, so you have to wait for your turn and then perform," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.
The 23-year-old made his ODI debut earlier this year against England in Nagpur where he scored 15 runs. Initially picked in Champions Trophy 2025 squad, he was dropped as the team management wanted an extra bowler in form of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Jaiswal working on leg-spin
Meanwhile, Jaiswal is looking to fine tune his leg-spin bowling to make a case for his selection. In List A cricket, he has bowled 13 times and claimed seven wickets at an average of 36.71. In international cricket, he has bowled three overs and yet to get his maiden wicket. However, Kotak is happy that Jaiswal is putting in the effort in the nets to be a better bowler.
"He has been bowling a lot in the nets during the Test match," Kotak said. "Jaiswal always puts a leg spin. He wants to bowl more and more. He looks more consistent now. So obviously, he is working more on his bowling. That is a positive sign anyway."
What’s next for Jaiswal after Australia tour?
Jaiswal will return to India after the ODI series concludes on October 25 at Sydney Cricket Ground. He will not feature in the two four-day games for India A against South Africa A. If the team management wants, he can play the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Rajasthan which begins on November 1. Otherwise, he will be in action in the two-Test series against South Africa, starting on November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
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