Yashasvi Jaiswal should wait for his opportunity in ODIs: Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has said that the team management hasn’t been unfair to Yashasvi Jaiswal when it comes to giving opportunities in ODIs. Jaiswal has played six 50-over matches in his career so far and scored 285 runs, having registered two centuries.

However, he continues to warm the bench with the Indian top order pretty much settled with the presence of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Ahead of India’s first ODI against West Indies, Kotak praised Jaiswal for his consistent performances.

"I think there is so much competition [for spots in the team] and so many players are performing. Jaiswal is one of the best, and whenever he gets an opportunity, he performs. So he is part of the team. As support staff, obviously we look after his skills, his practice and his mindset. But sometimes you see, say there are three very good wicketkeepers in a team; only one will play,” Kotak said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI.

Kotak also mentioned that the team hasn’t been unfair to him and he should just wait for his opportunity.

"So it is not that somebody has been unfair to him. I just think it is part of the game. He should keep working hard and wait for his opportunity. And so far, whenever the team needed him, he has performed. But I think we do look after his skills and his practice. We follow up on where he is, how he is doing and when he is with the team. That's all we can do, and that's what we do,” he added.

Ravindra Jadeja in the mix for ODI World Cup 2027: Kotak

Kotak also shared his views on Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in the ODI team and said that he’s in the mix for the World Cup 2027. Jadeja marks his return to the team after last playing against New Zealand earlier this year in January.

"I think he is obviously in the mix. I am not part of the selection [committee], so I don't know what their thinking is. I just think whoever is coming and playing for India, they are obviously part of the 20-25 players who possibly can be in the team,” said Kotak.

"Jadeja is an outstanding all-rounder. We all know. You see his records. How the team will be set up and what kind of combination selectors and captain and head coach will go with is secondary. And there is time for that. But Jadeja, to me, is one of the best fielders we still have on a world level,” he added.

"He bowls, he bats and the experience he has, and I actually firmly believe that experience is something you cannot beat. So like we see Rohit, we see Virat, [the same way] we see Jadeja. And that brings a lot to the team. Jadeja is obviously a very useful member of the team,” Kotak said.

India take on West Indies in a three-match ODI series beginning on Sunday, September 27 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Along with Jadeja, the series will also mark the return of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Indian colours.