Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Kiran More wants Indian team management to back Yashasvi Jaiswal as opener ahead of Shubman Gill in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Jaiswal is known for his aggressive batting in the T20I format and he can hit the ground running whereas Gill is known to take a bit of time before he launches his attack.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was added to the 16-man squad for the three-match series. The veteran returned to the T20I squad after a long gap of 14 months. Rohit, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are three specialist openers in the squad.
Jaiswal had scored 60 runs in two T20Is against South Africa recently but Gill had managed only eight runs in those two games. More wants a left-right batting combination at the top of the order.
Kiran More said in an interview with Sports18, “Yashasvi Jaiswal for me because it’s a left-right combination. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s performances have been exceptional. He shows aggression and talks about fours and sixes from the first ball.”
“I think Shubman Gill is definitely a good player but I will go with a left and right-handed batting combination in the T20 format. I will go with Yashasvi for sure.”
The former Indian selector feels Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma will be the two batters to watch out for in the series against Afghanistan. Rinku Singh has scored 262 runs in 12 T20I matches at an average of 65.5 whereas Tilak Varma has aggregated 310 runs in 15 T20I matches at an average of 34.44.
“Rinku and Tilak both because Tilak Varma is a good player. He is a 360-degree player and Tilak Varma bats the same way that Rinku does. I believe we need to think a little about the future and take both Tilak and Rinku along.”
More hailed Arshdeep Singh for his consistent performances on the tour of South Africa.
“Arshdeep brings a good variety. He is a left-armer and bowled exceptionally well in the last series. He will keep learning as he keeps playing more matches. I believe left-arm fast bowlers make a huge difference because they create a different angle.”
The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at Mohali on 11th January.
