Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised serious questions over the national selectors’ treatment of Yashasvi Jaiswal following Rajasthan Royals’ impressive win over Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. Chasing a daunting 223 in New Chandigarh on April 28, Rajasthan Royals got off to a strong start, with Jaiswal playing a key role. The left-hander struck 51 off 27 balls as RR chased down the target with six wickets in hand and four balls to spare. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed surprise that Jaiswal is not even part of discussions around India’s T20I squad, despite consistent performances. “Look at his numbers in the last three years. He was a part of the T20 World Cup 2024-winning team, and then he got dropped. Everyone gets selected and dropped, but no one talks about him. I am not saying he should be selected. I understand there is no vacant place,” Chopra said. He further emphasised that the opener has continued to deliver in the IPL, maintaining both a healthy average and strike rate over multiple seasons. “If you see his IPL numbers for the last three years, he has scored runs and has a good average and strike rate. He is doing everything right. However, forget about selection, he isn’t even part of the conversation. What was done after 2024 was like taking a fly out of milk and throwing it away. What was the guy’s mistake?” he added. Chopra also pointed out a subtle shift in Jaiswal’s batting approach this season, suggesting that the youngster may be aiming for a more sustained impact rather than just explosive starts. He noted that Jaiswal appeared more measured, looking to build his innings beyond the Powerplay, something that was evident in the chase against PBKS. In the same discussion, Chopra reserved special praise for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who provided early momentum with a blistering knock. “The guy is getting mature. He is getting better by the day. Arshdeep Singh bowled yorkers on the first two balls, and he defended them. He realized that Arshdeep would have to do something different because his reputation had come before him. Arshdeep brought the ball in, it was on the legs, and he played a pick-up shot for a six,” Chopra said. He highlighted how Sooryavanshi’s approach forced the bowlers to adjust, ultimately shifting the pressure back onto Punjab. “The pressure got transferred. After that, he got a short ball outside off, and he hit to the left of point. That tells you he has a little more time. He tries to play more shots over mid-on and the bowler now. He was aggressive from earlier, and has become so mature now. His upside is brilliant,” he observed. Sooryavanshi smashed 43 off just 16 balls, stitching together a rapid 51-run opening stand with Jaiswal in only 3.2 overs, laying the perfect platform for Rajasthan Royals’ successful chase.
