Recent times have seen a shift within the Indian cricket team, especially in the realm of leadership. Following changes in Test cricket, the captaincy in the One Day International (ODI) format has also transitioned. Experienced batsman Shubman Gill is now leading India in both Test and ODI formats. While Gill has received this opportunity, the desire to lead is prevalent among nearly every player who has secured a spot in the Indian team. Yashasvi Jaiswal, a junior to Gill, is among those players who aspire to captain and are actively preparing themselves.
Jaiswal made his international cricket debut just two years ago, and after starting with the most demanding format, he has solidified his place in the Indian team. He is now a key member of the Indian Test team and is a regular in the playing eleven. There’s a growing demand to include him regularly in the ODI and T20 teams, a move for which Jaiswal is both qualified and deserving. However, this young batsman’s ambitions extend even further.
In a YouTube podcast, the 23-year-old Jaiswal discussed his ambitions and preparations. Speaking on the Raj Shamani podcast, the left-handed opener shared, “I work on myself daily to develop as a leader. One day, I want to be a captain.” While Jaiswal didn’t specifically mention aiming for the Indian team captaincy, the implication is clear. Beyond international cricket, he also expressed his interest in captaining in the IPL.
This isn’t the first time the young Indian batsman’s ambition for captaincy has been highlighted. Months earlier, Jaiswal left his Mumbai Cricket Association in domestic cricket to join Goa Cricket, where plans were underway to appoint him as captain. However, he changed his decision at the last moment.
Furthermore, there were rumors about a leadership struggle within the Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2025 season. It was later revealed that a part of the franchise favored Jaiswal as captain, but the role was ultimately given to Riyan Parag. During this period, there were also reports of Jaiswal’s dissatisfaction. Thus, it is evident that Yashasvi has significant aspirations, and his dedication suggests he will achieve them.