'If I Am Jaiswal, I'll Start Playing For...': Ashwin's Big Remark On Opener's Snub
Ashwin feels Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer are among the rare players who play for the team more than themselves, and they might become more selfish after Asia Cup snub.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed further disappointment at Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from India's squad for the 2025 Asia Cup. He believes that Jaiswal and Iyer are among the few batters who are not selfish and take risks for the team's benefit, adding that now that might change because the methods haven't helped them get a place in the side.
Jaiswal was India's backup opener at the 2024 T20 World Cup but didn't make it to the first 15 at the Asia Cup, replaced by Shubman Gill. Although the two were competing for the same spot for a while, Gill also got the vice-captaincy role, all but cementing his place in the 11. And because Gill is an opener, Ashwin believes it leaves Jaiswal with just one spot to fight for, which he doesn't deserve for the T20 talent he possesses.
'Not only has his slot gone, but there's a leadership role in that," Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel. 'Now, he's left with one spot — he needs to fight for Abhishek Sharma's place. Or he'll have to go and play in the middle-order in the IPL. He averages 36, with a strike rate of 165 in this format. It's very hard to find a guy like Jaiswal. He doesn't play for himself sometimes, I have seen a lot of batters who do. Shreyas is the same."
'Both of them play less for their average and more for strike rate. If the ball is there to be hit, they take the chance. It took a long time for India to get players with that brand of cricket. Now you got those players… I'll say if I am Jaiswal or Shreyas, now my chance is gone, so from the next time if a risk has to be taken, I won't. I'll play for myself because I need to secure my place. It's unfortunate you'll have to play for that in T20s," Ashwin added.
Jaiswal has played 23 T20Is for India, scoring 723 runs at a strike rate of 164.31. The only player to have more runs for the country at a strike-rate better than that is captain Suryakumar Yadav.
'What can a guy do?': Ashwin on Jaiswal
Ashwin said Jaiswal had never let down the team with his performances and thus deserved to be treated better.
'Jaiswal got a chance in Test cricket. He took it with both hands. Easily the most successful Test batter to make a debut for India in the recent past. He excelled in whichever format you gave him a chance. What can a guy do apart from excellence? He showed excellence, and now, in that spot, his chance is gone. What can he do now? Go back to the drawing board. I really wish him well when he gets a chance in the future," he said.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Loading comments...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
13 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Let's not go below the belt': Wasim Akram warns after India avoid burning Pakistan Asia Cup question
The legendary Wasim Akram reacted on Wednesday to the ongoing backlash over the scheduled India versus Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, insisting that the "game must go on" regardless of whether the blockbuster encounter takes place. The two arch-rivals are slated to face each other on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium in a Group A fixture. Wasim Akram had his say on the scheduled India vs Pakistan Asia Cup fixture Ever since the schedule was confirmed last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has faced significant criticism for agreeing to play against Pakistan. The controversy was heightened by the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this April, which further strained the already fragile political situation between the two countries. At one point, speculation was rife that the Asia Cup could even be cancelled if India withdrew, before the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) ended the uncertainty with an official announcement in late July. The criticism intensified after the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions side withdrew from facing Pakistan twice in the World Championship of Legends last month, including the semifinal. More recently, at a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked whether his team would participate in the September 14 clash. The Indian media manager swiftly intervened, instructing reporters to restrict questions to team selection. Speaking on the Stick With Cricket podcast, Akram urged calm, stressing the importance of keeping politics away from sport. "Asia Cup schedule is out, there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don't play. The game must go on," he said. "Politics apart, I am not a politician. They are patriotic about their country, we are patriotic about ours. Let's not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan, and the same goes for India. It is easier said than done." Akram added that while he respected the sensitivities around the rivalry, he still hoped to see India and Pakistan contest at least one bilateral Test series in his lifetime. The two neighbours have not played a bilateral series since 2012. 'I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime.'
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Indian team for Asia Cup hockey announced
Harmanpreet Singh will continue to lead the Indian charge as it hopes to win the upcoming Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup next year with Hardik Singh as his deputy in the 18-member side named by Hockey India on Wednesday (August 20, 2025). Coach Craig Fulton has preferred to keep the juniors away and stick to a tried and tested group high on experience for the Asia Cup. The Indian team, currently on a four-match tour of Australia, has been largely retained. The only notable name missing is Shamsher Singh in the midfield while the experienced Gurjant Singh is in rehabilitation, still recovering from his back stress. Jugraj Singh will be sharing penalty corner duties with Harmanpreet. Youngsters Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Selvam Karthi have been named as alternate athletes. 'We've gone with an experienced squad that understands what it takes to perform in high-pressure situations. The Asia Cup is crucial for us because qualification for the World Cup is at stake, so we needed players who have the composure, resilience and know-how to deliver. We have leaders in every line — defence, midfield and attack — and the way this team can play together will be our strongest asset,' Fulton said. The squad Goalkeepers: Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh; stand-byes: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Selvam Karthi
Hindustan Times
13 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Harshit Rana 'undeserving'; 'extremely ordinary' numbers spark outrage over Asia Cup call: Why didn't BCCI reward Siraj?
The announcement of the Asia Cup squad has raised questions over the All India Selection Committee's decisions. The absence of players like Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna has put Ajit Agarkar and his panel under scrutiny, especially since these names had impressed with their performances in the IPL. Harshit Rana has been picked in the Asia Cup squad.(BCCI X) Former India opener Aakash Chopra has now raised questions over the inclusion of Harshit Rana. Rana had an underwhelming IPL 2025, taking 25 wickets at an economy rate of 10.18. He also has only one T20 experience at the international level, and the selectors preferred him over the likes of experienced Siraj and IPL 2025 purple cap winner Krishna. Chopra did point out Rana's match-winning performance as a concussion replacement against England, but he raised concerns over his performances before and after that. "Harshit Rana's case is very interesting. His case needs to be discussed because he came as a concussion replacement for Shivam Dube once, picked up three wickets as well, and became the Player of the Match, which was brilliant, but what about before and after that?" Chopra said on his YouTube channel. The former cricketer turned commentator didn't shy away from saying that Rana hasn't done enough to deserve a place in the side. "The last IPL was extremely ordinary. His performances have not been very good. His numbers are not flattering. It doesn't seem like his numbers are strong enough to deserve a place in the side," he added. Talking further about Rana's case, he emphasised that he will only get a chance in the XI when Bumrah gets rested against a weaker side in the group stage. "The truth is also that he won't get to play all matches. In fact, he might get to play even one match when Bumrah isn't available. If he isn't getting a chance to play, you say that whoever is sitting out doesn't make a difference," he said. "Prasidh Krishna should have got a chance" Chopra felt that Krishna, named only among the reserves, merited a place in the main 15. He also pointed out that Siraj's outstanding performances in England could have earned him a call-up, but the selectors seemed to have taken a different direction. "However, if you see the recent record, you will find that Prasidh Krishna should have got a chance, or you could have thought about rewarding Mohammed Siraj, but the team has once again gone towards Harshit," Chopra observed.
