India’s ODI top order may be among the most competitive in world cricket, but the recent South Africa series added two more names that could shape the next World Cup cycle. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored fluent centuries in their limited chances, reinforcing India’s growing depth. What remains less straightforward is whether both can be accommodated when the full-strength XI is available, and how soon India are willing to think beyond their established senior core.
After India sealed the series in Visakhapatnam, head coach Gautam Gambhir underlined the significance of the runs but also the reality that comes next. “Once your captain and vice-captain are back, obviously they are your starters,” he said, referring to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in India’s ODI structure. That statement alone shows how steep the climb still is for Jaiswal, Gaikwad and others.
Learning the ODI rhythm is the next step for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal’s unbeaten 116 was only his fourth ODI innings. Gambhir praised the talent but was clear about the developmental curve ahead. Moving from Tests to one-day cricket can be deceptive, he said, because players often assume aggression is the answer.
“You don’t need to bat aggressively in one-day cricket… If he can bat till 30 overs, with the quality he has, he will be close to a hundred,” Gambhir said. “This was just his fourth game. The moment he figures out which tempo he needs to bat in one-day cricket, the sky is the limit.”
Gaikwad’s maiden ODI century in Raipur, scored after India slipped to 40 for 2, impressed the coaching staff just as much. “He actually grabbed that opportunity with both hands,” Gambhir said, calling the innings “proper quality” considering he was batting outside his usual top-order role.
Both batters align with India’s aim of building a wider core of World Cup-ready players. Gambhir reiterated that India want a group of 20–25 players in the picture well before the 2027 tournament.
ALSO READ: Full KKR Target Players List
The Kohli-Rohit axis still defines India’s present
That planning must coexist with the here and now. Kohli’s Player-of-the-Series performance in the same ODIs showed his returns remain elite. Rohit, when available, still anchors India’s white-ball identity at the top. Shubman Gill is viewed as the long-term opener. Slots simply aren’t easy to open up, especially for batters who are strongest in positions already occupied.
Gambhir stressed that the players must be ready to wait and take opportunities when they appear. “What they had to do with their opportunities, they have done that,” he said. “They need to keep themselves motivated because they should be ready whenever they get that opportunity.”
Jaiswal and Gaikwad have done what was required: scored runs under pressure, showed adaptability, and demonstrated that they can slot into a winning side without disruption. But breaking into a full-strength XI will require either a senior player stepping aside, or a clear strategic shift in how India balance their lineup.
For now, the message is clear: they are part of the planning group for the next World Cup. They just can’t assume they’re part of the XI yet. They’re in the conversation, but still waiting for the door to open wider.
