'It Is Very Unfair': R Ashwin Blasts Selectors for Leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal Out of New Zealand ODIs

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a stinging critique of the BCCI selection committee for leaving young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal out of India's ODI squad for the ongoing New Zealand series, calling the decision "unfair and unfortunate" and warning it could damage a prized talent's confidence.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin argued that Jaiswal deserved a chance in the final two matches of the series, especially with senior opener Shubman Gill being rested.

"If Shubman Gill is not playing the last two ODIs, then Yashasvi Jaiswal should definitely get that spot. It is very unfortunate because all of this can ruin his confidence. Now, with the way he was scoring runs..." Ashwin said.

A run machine left idle

The former off-spinner pointed out that Jaiswal had not played international cricket for around four months, despite previously scoring runs consistently across formats. He insisted the team management should make deliberate efforts to keep a player of Jaiswal's calibre involved rather than leave him without opportunities.

"He was a run machine. If his confidence is getting ruined, it is the job of the team management and selectors to give him an opportunity wherever possible. But he has not been getting those opportunities at all. It has not gone to him. And it is very unfair," Ashwin said.

Ashwin went on to label Jaiswal a "precious talent" and stressed that the onus lies on the selectors and team management to look after him.

"It is very unfortunate. It is definitely the responsibility of the selectors and team management to look after Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is a precious talent," he concluded.

Test preparation no excuse, says Ashwin

Ashwin suggested the selectors could simply have spoken directly to Jaiswal about featuring in the final two ODIs, allowing him to decide whether he was ready for the workload. He acknowledged the importance of preparing for the upcoming Test series but questioned why that should come at the cost of ODI opportunities.

"I agree that he needs to prepare for Test cricket. But tell me, when did Yashasvi Jaiswal last play an ODI? When did he last play a T20? When did he last play a Test match?" Ashwin asked.

World Cup depth in focus

Jaiswal's limited ODI exposure has also raised broader questions about India's preparations for next year's ODI World Cup in South Africa, particularly regarding the development of backup players capable of stepping in at short notice.

The debate comes after a testing stretch for the left-hander. In October 2026, he was dismissed for a 13-ball duck against Chandigarh in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy innings victory, part of a mixed run that has seen him score two centuries in his last three ODIs even as he has been left out of the playing XI in the format. His scores against Sri Lanka in August — 0, 32 and 45 — offered little encouragement, and he was expected to feature in India's XI for the New Zealand tour, which would have been his first visit to the country with the national team.

Ashwin's intervention has now sharpened the spotlight on the selection calls shaping India's white-ball future.