India and the West Indies will be playing the second ODI of the three-match series on September 30, 2026. This game will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. India won the first game in Thiruvananthapuram by 8 wickets, chasing down 295 runs with ease.
There will be a huge possibility that Yashasvi Jaiswal might get a look in the Indian XI, given that Rohit Sharma made only 32 runs in the first ODI. Jaiswal has been the backup opener for the Indian team in ODIs for some time now but seldom gets opportunities. He made a century in the last ODI he played but was dropped to accommodate Rohit.
Here are the 3 reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal should replace Rohit Sharma in the 2nd IND vs. WI ODI:
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal is the young, long-term option
Rohit Sharma is 39 years old, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is just 24 and presents India the opportunity to play a long-term batter at the top. Though he has played only six ODIs, Jaiswal has shown the ability to make substantial contributions at the top of the order. For the ODI match number two against West Indies, playing both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will help in gaining important information about the possible openers that India may use. Yashasvi’s inclusion in the team will help to ascertain if the young opener can shoulder greater responsibility.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored big runs whenever he has played ODIs
Jaiswal’s limited ODI career thus provides a convincing statistical case for more appearances. In his first six ODIs, he scored 285 runs at an average of 71.25, which included two hundreds and a highest score of 116 not out. The above statistics reflect that he has managed to adapt successfully to international 50-over cricket when provided with opportunities. In the year 2026, Jaiswal scored 114 runs in two innings with an average of 114 and a strike rate of 120 against Afghanistan.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal needs ample game time before the 2027 World Cup
Thanks to India having a settled top three in Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal has gotten limited opportunities. Jaiswal, if given a chance in the second ODI against West Indies, could offer another chance to evaluate him against international opposition and determine how he fits into India’s long-term plans. With Jaiswal being seen as backup opener for the World Cup, he should receive enough game time to keep him in the flow and chance for India to check out how he fits into the India XI.
