Pressure on Jaiswal to score big in dead rubber vs Afghanistan

Yashasvi Jaiswal during the 2nd ODI vs Afghanistan on Wednesday where he scored just four. Pic/BCCI

Excitement and apprehension competed for effect ahead of India's last international here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup in February.

A crushing loss to South Africa in their opening fixture had pushed Suryakumar Yadav's men to the point of no-return. A loss to Zimbabwe would have ended their title defence. But India regrouped in spectacular fashion to post their highest total of the tournament (256), eke out a commanding 72-run triumph and embark on a four-match winning spree which culminated in an emphatic conquest of New Zealand in the title round.

Now, as they brace for what is a dead rubber, the last game of a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on Saturday, the contrast couldn't be starker. Despite putting out a new-look bowling attack, Shubman Gill's boys have a 2-0 lead, hoping to extend their unbeaten run against an opponent that has been outplayed on this tour, but which will be desperate to sign off with something to show for its efforts.

The force is clearly with India, coming off seven-wicket and 170-run wins in Dharamsala and Lucknow respectively. They are unlikely to ease up in Chennai; Yashasvi Jaiswal, who mustered just four in his first ODI in more than six months, will look to stamp his authority while being fully aware that it could count for little in the immediate short term.

Jaiswal's is the classic case of plenty not being enough, given how stocked the Indian batting is. The left-hander is still an ODI afterthought. Consigned to the sidelines despite stroking an unbeaten 116 against South Africa in December 2025, Jaiswal will need a good outing to remind Ajit Agarkar's panel that his talent can't be ignored for too long. Pacers Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav have a great chance to build on promising starts while a comeback for Nitish Reddy is on the cards.

The visitors have come up short on various counts, but they will be buoyed by the potential return of Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai.