Yashasvi Jaiswal has established himself as India’s first-choice opening batter in Test cricket over the last two years. However, his appearance in white-ball cricket remains conspicuously limited.

Despite scoring 723 runs in 23 T20Is at an average of 36.15 and a strike rate of 164.31, Jaiswal was recently ignored for the Asia Cup 2025 and the upcoming series against Australia. The southpaw made his ODI debut in February this year against England, and has played just one match in the format so far.

With Shubman Gill now the captain of the Indian team in the 50-over format, Jaiswal has to compete with Rohit Sharma for the second opening slot. The 23-year-old warmed the bench in the first ODI against Australia at Perth on Sunday (October 19).

Ahead of the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided clarity on Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from the playing XI.

"I think he is in the squad. He practices and they 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 told reporters.

The batting coach also revealed how hard Jaiswal is working on his secondary attributes to break into the Indian team.

"Jaiswal always bowls leg spin. I think as an individual player, if it comes from within that he actually wants to bowl, and he feels he wants to bowl more and more, that’s a good sign," Kotak said.

"And I have been watching him for the last 5–6 years. He has always bowled, but he looks more consistent now. So obviously, he is working more on his bowling. That is a positive sign," he added.

India lost the rain-marred Perth ODI by seven wickets to concede 1-0 lead in the three-match series. In the game reduced to 26 overs per side, the tourists recovered from 45/4 to post 136/9 on the board. However, the score was never going to challenge the world champions, especially after their target was revised to 131 using the DLS method.