'... but Rohit Sharma doesn't want it': Yashasvi Jaiswal's IPL 2024 battles divide two former cricketers, debate ensues

Rajasthan Royals have had a solid start to their 2024 Indian Premier League campaign; they are the only unbeaten team of the season with four wins from as many matches. However, one of the biggest concerns for the Royals is the form of their star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The left-handed batsman joined the side on the back of a phenomenal performance in the five-match Test series against England. However, Jaiswal has so far failed to translate this form in its shortest form.

With the T20 World Cup approaching, Jaiswal's form could be a concern for the Indian team management, with former cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Mitchell McClenaghan discussing how the youngster should approach the rough patch. However, both had different opinions.

Jaffer suggested Jaiswal was trying to be "powerful" with the ball at number one - which is his natural game - but he might as well want to take his time at the crease and settle down before getting aggressive. The former India opener added that Jos Buttler's return to run-scoring - he smashed a century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in RR's previous match - would also give Jaiswal time to settle.

"He had a purple patch on for a long time. And sometimes when you come in without a lot of expectations, you can express yourself. Now he's a big name, and I feel like watching his batting, he's trying to push himself too early," Jaffer said. Cricbuzz.

- He needs to give himself some time, try to play normal cricket in the beginning. Get ready because the other guy at the end is Jos Buttler. You can afford to take your time. It seems that based on 3-4 games played, he is taking too many risky options. When the time isn't right, sometimes you can't stick with it."

McClenaghan's 'T20 WC' match

However, the former New Zealand pacer wasn't too convinced by Jaffer's advice. McClenaghan believes that Jaiswal needs to keep his aggressive game intact as that is what Team India wants from him in the T20 World Cup as well.

“I would say before Jos's innings the other night (that) Jaiswal was in a role where he had to go after the ball and create a strike rate at the top. If struggled. Now Jos would be good from here on out, and he could take the offensive. But that's not what we're looking for in the World Cup. That's not what Rohit Sharma wants from his top-order batter. He wants them to take positive options, he wants them to be aggressive, he's happy with 30 off 15 and he's not looking for significant scores in that role," McClenaghan said.

He went on to talk about Jaiswal's two-ball standoff against RCB and pointed to the reason why he remained positive about the opener despite the early dismissal.

- Even though it was a two-ball innings, he tried to put pressure on Reece Topley. The first ball swung significantly; he tried to step out and get Topley to change his length. Unfortunately Topley bowled a good length ball which found the top edge. He wanted to put pressure on one of their key bowlers; even then I like him to keep playing because that's the style of cricket Rohit wants to see and his team needs," McClenaghan said.