At the conclusion of India’s record 617-run Test series against England, young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal found himself under stress. Despite the team’s success, Jaiswal saw what others had missed: his failure to capitalize on the last two opportunities he had in Indian colors before the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup was to be announced. Scores of 37 and 57 were decent performances by all accounts, but for Jaiswal, they were merely good starts that weren’t converted into big scores.
During IPL 2024, with the Rajasthan Royals, Jaiswal frequently emphasized “sirf runs banane hai” (just have to make runs). The franchise lightened his load by freeing him from numerous sponsorship commitments. Whether he was mentally free from that pressure is something only he can reveal, but his performance with the bat told a different story. Initially, he appeared scratchy, desperate, and short of runs – a far cry from the player who had showcased a free-flowing bat swing that demolished bowlers across formats in the year leading up to the tournament. Despite the team’s early success, it took Jaiswal seven innings to eventually find his groove.
He was competing for a spot with many contenders, but with few opportunities. Just four months later, the landscape has dramatically changed. Opportunities have opened up, and he, together with Shubman Gill, received the first shot at securing those vacant spots.
Only a day before India’s first T20I against Sri Lanka, newly appointed captain Suryakumar Yadav conveyed that under the new leadership, “only the engine has changed, the rest of the bogeys are still the same.” This message was meant to reassure teammates who had performed well in the shortest format in recent years, emphasizing that while coaching staff may come and go, the successful practices must continue.
This statement was notable for multiple reasons. Firstly, with both a new captain and a new coach at the helm, there are already some significant changes. One such change is the strategy of playing four frontline bowlers along with part-time and all-rounder options in the XI, a tactic previously used by Gautam Gambhir during his successful stints with the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. Another trend borrowed from Gambhir’s playbook is maintaining a left-right combination throughout the top eight batters.
An important question arises: how can the bogeys remain unchanged when three veteran players, who have been the face of India’s T20 cricket for so long, have retired? The first two positions in that metaphorical train have already been replaced, with Jaiswal and Gill taking the places of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The explosive power they displayed during the powerplay on Saturday night showcased exactly why Jaiswal would have felt he had an opportunity to push his case for inclusion in the Indian XI, even when the chances seemed negligible.
Jaiswal showcased his aggressive intent from the first ball in Pallekele by pulling Dilshan Madhushanka for a boundary.
. At the other end, Gill exhibited his unique style, bringing more ‘intent’ to his game. His shots ranged from a mild punch caressed through backward point, a lazy loft over mid-off, to a nonchalant whip over mid-on. Each earning him boundaries as he effectively countered length deliveries outside off with controlled punches. When bowlers changed their line to focus closer to his body, his timing and placement remained impeccable. Eventually, a slower ball undid him, but he had already established his concept of ‘intent’ with elegant touch.
Conversely, Jaiswal displayed conventional aggression with big swings of the bat, dismantling bowlers like Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana. Within the first 35 balls of the innings, they had powered India to 74 runs. Both were dismissed shortly after, but their explosive start set a crucial tempo for the middle order.
Their partnership wasn’t necessarily decisive in determining the match’s outcome. However, the tempo they set during the powerplay was crucial, as it set the stage for the middle order to build upon. This responsibility is something they will be asked to shoulder moving forward.
When Rohit and Kohli retired from the shortest format, numerous backups and contenders vied to fill their positions. Four such players demonstrated their skills against Zimbabwe in a recent tour, all excelling. Nevertheless, it comes as no surprise that Gill and Jaiswal were given the first opportunity to replace the stalwarts.
This new era of India’s T20 cricket, under Gambhir’s influence, signals that batters will be encouraged to take an aggressive route, cushioned by a strong lineup. The responsibility to set the tempo now rests with Gill and Jaiswal.
Their performances against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have left a strong early impression, suggesting they are ready for the challenge ahead. As India embarks on a long journey to the next significant stop on its cricketing calendar, the team management has plenty of options to choose from if necessary. For the time being, Gill and Jaiswal, much like the team, can breathe a bit easier knowing that the metaphorical train is still on track, and the new components are functioning smoothly under pressure.