'Harsh on players when your King comes back': AB de Villiers on Yashasvi Jaiswal ODI snub on Virat Kohli's return

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a century in the third and final ODI of the series against Afghanistan but did not find a place in the ODI squad for England tour. Jaiswal was picked as Virat Kohli’s replacement as the former captain was ruled out of Afghanistan ODI series due to an injury he sustained in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final. As Jaiswal has faced selectors’ snub, Kohli’s former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate AB de Villiers said that it is unfortunate that the young opener misses out. The former South Africa captain backed Kohli to carry his form into the ODI series on England soil. 

“Virat Kohli back. Little bit of a tough one on Jaiswal, who was back in Virat's place, scoring the hundred and now he's got to make way. No complaints there but it just a little bit harsh on players sometimes when your King comes back, when the main players come back, there is a process they are looking at. So truly makes sense for Virat to step in there and make sure he maintains the kind of form he showed in the IPL,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

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Kohli’s participation was subject to fitness. Earlier this week, he cleared the fitness test as well. Earlier this year, Kohli had scored 240 runs in the three-ODI series against New Zealand, averaging 80. He scored a century and fifty against the BlackCaps at home.

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Jaiswal’s ODI career numbers

Jaiswal scored four runs in the second ODI as captain Shubman Gill opted to bat at no.3. In the third and final ODI, he scored an unbeaten 110 in the successful run chase. He has played six ODIs so far, scoring 285 runs, averaging 71.25, including two tons. His previous ton was against South Africa.

De Villiers on India’s wicketkeeper-batter selection

De Villiers also commented on Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson not finding a place in the squad. He believes that Samson would have been closer to selection to Pant. But, India have backed KL Rahul and included an in-form Ishan Kishan. In the recently-concluded ODI series against Afghanistan at home, Kishan scored a blazing 125 to repay selectors' faith.

India vs England ODI series schedule

The three-ODI series will begin on July 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The second and third ODI will be played at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens (June 16) and London's Lord's Stadium (June 19) respectively. The ODI series will conclude on July 19.