'His time should come' - Murali Kartik expresses faith in Yashasvi Jaiswal for ODI opening role despite limited chances

October 19, 2026

India’s young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to wait for a consistent break in the ODI team despite strong early form. Since his debut against England in February 2025, the 21-year-old has scored 285 runs in six matches, including two centuries, at an average of 71.25.

Yet he remains on the fringes of the opening partnership, missing the first five ODIs against New Zealand in favor of Ishan Kishan. His last appearance came in June 2026 against Afghanistan, leaving him without match practice for months as selectors weigh his long-term potential against established options like Rohit Sharma and Kishan.

Former India batsman Murali Kartik, now a cricket analyst, has publicly backed Jaiswal’s chances, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking into a competitive spot. Kartik noted that while Jaiswal is ready to step in when called, his opportunities remain limited by the depth of talent at the top of the order.

Meanwhile, Kartik also raised questions about the inconsistent selection of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has played 120 ODIs but has struggled to maintain a regular place in recent series, despite his all-round abilities and strong track record across formats. The spinner’s omission from Tests in England and his erratic ODI appearances have left even Kartik puzzled about the team’s selection logic.