In a crucial decision for the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, Team India opted to bench Yashasvi Jaiswal, choosing instead to open with the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Former New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming weighed in on this decision, acknowledging the challenge and strategy behind leaving out a talented player like Jaiswal.
Jaiswal, 22, made his T20I debut in 2023 against West Indies and has shown promise by scoring 502 runs in 17 matches. He also impressed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, scoring 435 runs in 15 matches for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Despite his form, the Indian team management stuck with the experience of Rohit and Kohli.
Speaking exclusively to the 'ESPNCricinfo Timeout show', Fleming said that such decisions are tough but necessary. He praised the team's strategy and highlighted the depth of talent in the squad.
"They had to make some hard calls. While Jaiswal was a great player, having a plan and you are staying to it when you've got great players sitting on the side-lines is always very difficult because it's tempting to keep looking where the grass is greener," Fleming said. "But I like the job they've done, they've got through. This is a team that in some ways is picked for the finals in my view. It's a team that has spinners that can dominate, it has players that can dominate spin, and we've seen spin in the West Indies play quite a big part, not so much in New York."
India aims to secure their spot in the semi-finals by performing well in their upcoming matches against Afghanistan (June 20), Bangladesh (June 22), and Australia (June 24). The Men in Blue have already shown strong form, finishing at the top of the Group A table with seven points. They are also striving to end their ICC trophy drought since the 2013 Champions Trophy and to win their first T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.
India's squad includes:
Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj
With a mix of experience and young talent, India is poised to make a strong push for the title, balancing the need to stick to their game plan with the flexibility to adapt as required.