Former India batter Aakash Chopra has voiced concern that Yashasvi Jaiswal’s recent form is not getting the attention it deserves, despite the Rajasthan Royals opener continuing to pile up runs in the latest IPL season. Chopra pointed out that while Jaiswal has been central to his franchise’s strong position in the standings, the spotlight has largely shifted to his opening partner, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Key takeaways
- Jaiswal has amassed 306 runs across nine IPL matches, helping Rajasthan Royals sit in the top half of the points table.
- Sooryavanshi has outshone the conversation with 400 runs, a century, and a strike rate above 238.
- Chopra argued that Jaiswal’s selection has stalled even after strong IPL output, despite being part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning group in 2024.
- He noted Jaiswal was rested for the England T20I series in 2025 and since then other players have become regular picks.
- Chopra stressed that Jaiswal is still not being discussed for India selection ahead of upcoming T20I assignments.
Jaiswal’s IPL output vs the spotlight on Sooryavanshi
Chopra said Jaiswal’s contributions are getting overshadowed, even though the batter has been producing consistently in the ongoing IPL 2026. He highlighted that Jaiswal’s 306 runs from nine matches have played a “major role” in pushing Rajasthan Royals into the upper cluster of the league table.
At the same time, Chopra noted that the immediate buzz around Rajasthan’s top order has been driven by Sooryavanshi, who has scored 400 runs in the tournament so far. The youngster has also notched up a century and is operating at a strike rate higher than 238, which has naturally pulled attention away from Jaiswal despite the senior batter’s steady returns.
Chopra questions India selection after 2024
In his comments, Chopra drew attention to the fact that Jaiswal was part of India’s T20 World Cup 2024-winning squad, yet has struggled to remain in the selection mix since that campaign. Chopra suggested that even with strong numbers in the IPL, Jaiswal is not being included in discussions around India’s next choices.
Chopra also referenced the period after 2024, saying the way things have unfolded feels like a lost opportunity, and he asked what could be considered Jaiswal’s mistake. While he clarified that he was not arguing for an automatic recall, he felt the current narrative is too quiet around a player who continues to deliver.
He further explained that Jaiswal was rested for the T20I series against England in 2025. After that, Chopra said, the selection door effectively opened for others—Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson—who have since established themselves as preferred options.
Chopra added that Jaiswal, a left-handed batter, was not picked for the Asia Cup and has not played a single T20I in the last two years. He then reiterated his main point: that Jaiswal’s IPL performances during the last three seasons show runs, a solid batting average, and a strong strike rate, meaning he has been “doing everything right,” yet still is not part of the selection conversation.
What Jaiswal will need next
India’s next T20I assignments are against Zimbabwe and Ireland. Chopra’s message was clear: for Jaiswal to be considered for selection in those series, he will likely need standout IPL performances that make the case impossible to ignore.
