Yashasvi Jaiswal’s place in India’s white-ball plans is becoming an interesting one. He remains one of the country’s most exciting young batters but his path into the playing XI is not as straightforward
as it once seemed. The latest selection gives a clear picture of where things stand. Jaiswal has been picked in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the three-match series against the West Indies, beginning September 27. He has not been included in the T20I squad, where Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are among the batting options.
Yashasvi Jaiswal still has a role in India’s ODI plans
Jaiswal’s recent ODI numbers give him a strong case for more opportunities. During the two-match series against Afghanistan in June, he scored 4 in the first game before making an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls in Chennai. It was his second ODI hundred in his last three appearances in the format. Despite that he was subsequently left out of India’s ODI squad for the England series even after that hundred. His return for the West Indies series therefore gives him another chance to establish himself in the 50-over setup.
The challenge is the competition at the top of the order. Shubman Gill is now India’s ODI captain, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of the squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad is another top-order option, and KL Rahul provides another experienced batting choice. Jaiswal is therefore not simply competing for a place against one player. He is competing in a top order where several batters already have established roles.
Clips of some shots that Yashasvi Jaiswal played in today’s practise session ⭐
📹: Zee Buisness pic.twitter.com/rNB2jEE6JS
— Team Yashasvi Jaiswal (@yashasvi_j) September 24, 2026
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently argued that Jaiswal should receive a consistent run in the West Indies ODIs, describing him as the backup opener India should develop before the 2027 World Cup.
That is perhaps the most relevant way to look at Jaiswal’s current position. India do not necessarily need to decide his entire white-ball future immediately. They need to find out how much he can contribute in the ODI format before the World Cup cycle moves further ahead.
His record in Test cricket is already well established, but white-ball cricket requires a slightly different conversation. In the IPL this year, he produced several high-impact innings, including 77* off 32 balls against Mumbai Indians and 51 off 27 against Punjab Kings. He also made 43 off 23 against Lucknow Super Giants.
The ability to score quickly is clearly there. The next step is translating that impact into a sustained international role. T20 cricket presents the tougher challenge for him to slot in. India have Abhishek Sharma, who has emerged as an aggressive opening option, while Samson and Ishan Kishan offer further possibilities. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also entered the discussion after his breakthrough performances. That makes Jaiswal’s omission from the current T20I squad understandable as part of a wider selection picture rather than a simple statement about his ability.
Can Yashasvi Jaiswal cement his spot in the West Indies series
With the 2027 World Cup approaching, India need clarity over their reserve options as well as their first-choice XI. The West Indies series could give Jaiswal three valuable opportunities to show where he fits. He does not need to force the issue with one spectacular innings. What matters more is whether he can put together enough performances to make his position in the ODI plans difficult to overlook. For a batter of Jaiswal’s age and ability, there is still plenty of time. But with India already having several established and emerging options, the next phase of his white-ball career will be about turning potential into a regular international role.
