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India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has solidified his position as the Test opener but is still awaiting opportunities in white-ball cricket. Jaiswal was selected for the ODI series in Australia after being passed over for both the T20I team for the T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ODI team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, since Rohit Sharma has not played much lately and Shubman Gill is the captain, the backup opener might continue to sit on the bench. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was questioned about Jaiswal's prospects of playing in the series before the second ODI of the series at Adelaide Oval. Kotak responded simply, saying that he would have to wait for his turn because only 11 players could play. "I think he’s in the squad, in the practice, and they (other youngsters) are pretty much aware that their turn will come, and they prepare well. At the end of the day, only 11 can play, so you have to wait for your turn and then perform," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference. The 23-year-old scored 15 runs in his debut ODI match against England in Nagpur earlier this year. He was initially included in the Champions Trophy 2025 roster, but was later discarded because the team's management preferred mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy as an extra bowler. Jaiswal, meanwhile, wants to improve his leg-spin bowling in order to support his selection. He has bowled 13 times and taken seven wickets at an average of 36.71 in List A cricket. He has bowled three overs in international cricket but has not yet claimed his first wicket. Kotak, though, is pleased that Jaiswal is working hard in the nets to improve as a bowler. "He has been bowling a lot in the nets during the Test match," Kotak said. "Jaiswal always puts a leg spin. He wants to bowl more and more. He looks more consistent now. So obviously, he is working more on his bowling. That is a positive sign anyway." Jaiswal will travel back to India following the conclusion of the ODI series at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. He will not play in India A's two four-day matches against South Africa A. He can participate in the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 match against Rajasthan, which starts on November 1, if the team management so desires. If not, he will play in the two-Test series against South Africa, which begins at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 14.
