Jaiswal, Rinku moving to next level

Duo making a strong case for themselves to be the first names in the T20! India team sheet

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

WHILE the needle has moved with respect to India's 50-over approach, its T20s is still a work in progress. Previous regimes have tended to view it as a shortened ODI and its reflected in some heavy defeats at global events.

After Rohit Sharma took over as skipper, he vowed to change the playing style.

While his clarion call has resulted in a clear transformation in 50-over cricket, Rohit hasn't had the same degree of success in the shortest format. In his first years of T20Is, he struck at 139.4 at an average of 32.4. Since he was elevated as skipper, he has been striking at 137.9 while averaging 27.1. Middling numbers.

There is a school of thought that Rohit may step aside from this format. One player who will be a more than handy replacement is Yashasvi Jaiswal. Even if Rohit is going to be an option till the World Cup next year, Jaiswal's name should be pencilled in as one of the two openers.