Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was easily one of the biggest storylines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Long been touted as a generational talent, the stylish left-handed batter knocked on the doors of the Indian national team after stacking up loads of runs in India's premier domestic competitions and in the greatest franchise T20 league in the world. The elegance, class and poise of Jaiswal were never in doubt but the way he has evolved into a power-hitter in the shortest format of the game has even surprised India captain Rohit Sharma.
The Mumbai batter amassed 625 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.61 and an average of 48.08, including his maiden century in the cash-rich tournament. His fearless approach at the top of the order coupled with his immaculate shot-making arsenal helped him dominate bowling attacks like a dazzling destroyer.
Former South Africa captain and batting great, AB de Villiers heaped praise on Jaiswal and regarded the RR batter as his favourite player in IPL 2023. The former RCB batter also reckons that Jaiswal has the adequate game to one day become a legend.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal for me and by a long margin for sure (favourite player in IPL 2023). He is a young player and has got all the shots in the book. He has a calm and composed temperament at the wicket and I love what he does, dominating the bowlers and always looks like he is in control," AB de Villiers said while speaking on JioCinema.
"Shubman is a little bit older, I think Jaiswal's got a long way to go, and he has all the credentials to become a great," the former Proteas captain added.
After his remarkable performance in IPL 2023, Jaiswal was roped in as a stand-by player in Team India's squad for the upcoming 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Jaiswal replaced Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will miss the marquee clash as he is scheduled to get married on June 3-June 4. Gaikwad was named as one of the three stand-by players in the squad along with right-arm pacer Mukesh Kumar and Suryakumar Yadav.
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