T20 World Cup 2026: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jitesh Sharma deserved a place in the India squad?
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has shared his views on the recent squad selection, expressing that Yashasvi Jaiswal deserved a place ahead of Ishan Kishan. While Jaffer acknowledged Kishan’s impressive run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he played a pivotal role in guiding Jharkhand to their maiden domestic T20 title, he felt that strong domestic form alone should not have resulted in Jaiswal being left out of the squad. According to Jaffer, Kishan’s inclusion was largely driven by his wicketkeeping abilities, which ultimately worked in his favor during the selection process. However, he questioned whether this was the right approach, suggesting that Jitesh Sharma could have been retained instead.
T20 World Cup 2026: Wasim Jaffer believes Yashasvi Jaiswal & Jitesh Sharma should have been part of the India squad
Jaffer pointed out that Jitesh had not done anything significant to justify being dropped and had been a consistent option as a wicketkeeper-batter. Jaffer also expressed concerns about the overall balance of the squad, particularly the inclusion of Washington Sundar. He noted that Sundar may struggle to find regular opportunities in the India playing XI, especially with India already boasting three specialist spinners, one of whom is a spin-bowling all-rounder. In Jaffer’s view, these selection choices raise questions about team composition and whether the squad truly reflects the best possible balance moving forward.
Why not Jaiswal & Jitesh? #T20WorldCup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 21, 2025
I would have them in place of Ishan & Washi. Axar is VC so he's sure to play and you can't play Washi ahead of Varun and Kuldeep. Jitesh hasn't done anything wrong to be dropped and Yashasvi, don't need any explaining why he shouldn't be there in first place. #T20WorldCup2026 https://t.co/68BtGDKZYx
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 21, 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal has consistently delivered superior performances compared to Ishan Kishan across both T20 Internationals and the Indian Premier League, making his case for selection particularly strong. Since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20 format in June 2024, Jaiswal has widely been viewed as India’s first-choice opener in white-ball cricket. His ability to provide explosive starts while maintaining consistency has set him apart, reinforcing his reputation as a long-term option at the top of the order.
Despite his credentials, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to rest Jaiswal from T20Is, allowing him to shift focus toward the longer format of the game. The move was positioned as a strategic decision to manage his workload and prepare him for the demands of Test cricket. However, this break raised questions when an opportunity emerged for his return during the Asia Cup 2025. Instead of recalling Jaiswal, the selectors chose Shubman Gill, a decision that surprised many given Jaiswal’s recent track record in the shortest format. In contrast, although Ishan Kishan produced eye-catching performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his form over the last two years has been uneven. At the international level, he has struggled to deliver consistent, match-defining contributions, further intensifying the debate around selection priorities.
As preparations build for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title defence, the reigning champions are set to embark on an intriguing group-stage campaign. Their journey will begin on February 7 with an opening clash against the United States of America, a match that offers India an opportunity to settle into the tournament with confidence. The team will then return to action on February 12 to take on Namibia, followed by a highly anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15, a fixture that is expected to draw global attention. India will conclude their group-stage matches on February 18 against the Netherlands.
