Salil Ankola Reflects on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Unconventional Rise in Indian Cricket

Former India pacer and national selector Salil Ankola recently shared insights into the early challenges faced by Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of India’s brightest young talents. Despite Jaiswal’s bold and aggressive style of play now being widely accepted, Ankola revealed that many were initially apprehensive about the left-hander’s unorthodox approach, particularly in red-ball cricket.

Jaiswal, who made waves on the domestic circuit with an attacking game, was seen as a mismatch for the traditional style of Test cricket when he first appeared. 

According to Ankola, “A lot of people had different opinions—some felt his (aggressive) game wasn’t suited to red-ball cricket. But I trusted my instincts.” 

This bold faith in Jaiswal’s abilities paid off as the youngster consistently delivered exceptional performances. Since his first-class debut in 2019, Jaiswal has averaged 70, well above the norm, making him an integral part of India’s future plans.

The 2022 Ranji Trophy season was particularly fruitful for Jaiswal, where he scored 498 runs in just three matches. His performances in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, coupled with his U-19 World Cup exploits, cemented his place as one of India’s most promising cricketers.

Ankola emphasized Jaiswal’s rare blend of “timing and power,” describing him as both a technically sound player and a clean hitter. “He’s a once-in-a-generation player,” Ankola said, highlighting the youngster’s immense potential across all formats of the game.

Now a regular in India’s Test side, Jaiswal’s early performances have justified the backing from selectors like Ankola. In the recent home series against Bangladesh, he scored twin fifties and a crucial half-century that further solidified his role as a long-term prospect for the Indian cricket team.