“Like a Fly Out of Milk”: Aakash Chopra Questions Yashasvi Jaiswal’s T20I Absence
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has criticized national selectors for excluding Yashasvi Jaiswal from recent T20 International discussions. The comments followed Rajasthan Royals’ successful chase of 223 against Punjab Kings, where Jaiswal and teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi built a rapid opening stand.
Jaiswal’s Consistent Output Ignored
Jaiswal anchored the Rajasthan innings with 51 runs off 27 deliveries, helping his franchise secure a six-wicket victory with four balls remaining in New Chandigarh. Despite this performance, Chopra noted the left-hander’s complete absence from national team dialogue.
“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,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. “Everyone gets selected and dropped, but no one talks about him. What was done after 2024 was like taking a fly out of milk and throwing it away.”
Match Highlights: Rajasthan Royals Top Order
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 51 | 27 | 188.88 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 43 | 16 | 268.75 |
Chopra identified a technical shift in Jaiswal’s current approach. Rather than exclusively seeking aggressive Powerplay starts, the opener is constructing longer innings. This calculated method aligns with his career progression since the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Sooryavanshi Provides Aggressive Support
While Jaiswal controlled one end, teenage acquisition Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated the early overs. The pair compiled a 51-run opening partnership in just 3.2 overs. Chopra specifically praised Sooryavanshi’s ability to counter Arshdeep Singh’s early yorkers before transferring pressure back onto the bowling side.
- Early Defense: Successfully navigated back-to-back yorkers from Arshdeep Singh.
- Counter-Attack: Executed a pick-up shot for six off a leg-stump delivery.
- Field Manipulation: Cut short deliveries past point, forcing bowling adjustments.
“The guy is getting mature. He is getting better by the day,” Chopra observed. “He was aggressive from earlier, and has become so mature now. His upside is brilliant.”
The Rajasthan Royals look to maintain this top-order momentum as the Indian Premier League season progresses. Fans can follow updated franchise standings and player statistics on the official BCCI website.