Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has lauded captain Rohit Sharma and the selectors for including young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Raina pointed out that Jaiswal is yet to make his ODI debut but the hunger for runs in his eyes has led to him getting the nod. The ICC Champions Trophy 2013-winning member lauded Jaiswal's attitude and terms his inclusion as 'beauty of Indian cricket'
“I think that boy is very hungry for runs. I mean, whenever we see his story, I think he has come to that level very eagerly. Hats off to the selectors, especially Rohit Sharma. Without playing ODI, you are taking that boy to the Champions Trophy," Raina said on Star Sports weeks ahead of the mega event.
"You know that he does a lot of hard work, dedication is very good. But he has a different attitude in his eyes, he has a different patience. It seems that this boy has come prepared. This is the beauty of Indian cricket. If you work hard and you have the passion to represent the country, then there will be some power that will tell you to go and represent the country. Rohit has done this with Yashasvi.”
Jaiswal's impressive List A numbers
Jaiswal is yet to get his ODI debut cap but has played 23 T20Is so far. He averages over 36 in T20Is with one century and five fifties his name. His List A record is highly impressive. From 32 One-Day games, the 23-year-old has scored 1,511 runs at an average of 53.96. He has five centuries and seven fifties in the format as well. Also, he is the youngest to score a double century in List A cricket.
Where does Jaiswal fit in?
While Jaiswal made it to the ODI squad, there is a possibility that he may warm the benches for the entire tournament like he did in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With Shubman Gill chosen as Rohit's deputy, Virat Kohli batting at no.3 and Shreyas Iyer after no.4, Jaiswal may have to wait for his turn. However, he may get to make his ODI debut in the upcoming three-ODI series at home against England next month.