Karthik urges patience with Jaiswal
Jaiswal shot to prominence when he topped the run charts at the 2020 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup and the 21-year-old has already replicated that form with some standout performances at the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals.
Calls have been made for Jaiswal to be parachuted into India’s 50-over squad for this year’s World Cup on home soil, with former national coach Ravi Shastri recently suggesting the youngster could push for selection if injuries do arise to key players in the lead-up to the event.
But Karthik is not sold on the idea.
Speaking on the latest episode of *The ICC Review,*Karthik said this year’s World Cup comes too soon for Jaiswal and the left-hander should instead focus on being a part of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“I don't think Yashasvi needs to be fast-tracked into the ODI setup,” Karthik said.
“He's a young boy. He needs to be fast-tracked into the T20I setup. I think he needs to be one of the frontrunners for the T20 World Cup happening next year as there are only a limited amount of ODIs left to be played prior to this World Cup.”
Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have both been given chances to partner skipper Rohit Sharma in the vacant opener role in 50-over cricket this year and Karthik believes India should continue to provide opportunities to that duo while Jaiswal further learns his craft.
Ravi Shastri selects his standout young players at the IPL on The ICC Review that could still feature at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
“India don't lack an opener, they've done really well with Rohit and Shubman being there. So I feel that post the World Cup, I think in ODIs and T20Is, he (Jaiswal) is going to be a consistent player without a doubt,” Karthik added.
“You don't need to fast-track him to this World Cup. I think there is Ishan Kishan who has also done well, who has been waiting in the wings.
“I only think it's fair that Yashasvi Jaiswal, when given an opportunity, is given an extended run because again, he is a very special player. He's shown us in this IPL. But when it comes to international cricket, it is a different cup of tea altogether.
“Just back him out there in the T20 setup, he needs to be there now. He'll get going. And by the time this World Cup finishes, he will be ready to play from there on in ODIs and T20s.”
While Jaiswal has won plenty of headlines for his heroics at the IPL already this year, there have been a host of other young batters to impress Karthik at the tournament.
Karthik nominated the likes of Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma and Tilak Varma as players that have caught the eye so far in the IPL and could all be in contention - alongside Jaiswal - for next year’s T20 World Cup.
“I don't think anybody who is among the youngsters that I'm going to say is going to make it to this 50-over World Cup,” Karthik said.
“But I do feel that in the next World Cup, I think we will see the names like Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma.
“These four names will definitely be banging the door really hard if not already part of the team because I think they're doing so well.
“They need to get a look into that T20 set up and they'll do phenomenally well, I have no doubt about it.”