Islamabad [Pakistan], April 10: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has delivered a candid message to struggling Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, urging him to refocus on cricket and rekindle his passion for the sport. Drawing comparisons to Prithvi Shaw—a once-promising star whose career trajectory faltered—Basit warned that Jaiswal risks a similar fate if he doesn’t regain his drive.
Jaiswal, hailed as a future star after his breakout performances in 2023, has struggled to replicate that form in IPL 2025. Since returning from India’s 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat in Australia, the 23-year-old’s performances have dwindled. Barring a knock of 67 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, his bat has largely been quiet, raising questions about his mindset and focus.
“His stomach has filled. Jaiswal isn’t focusing on cricket. This is my open message: Cricket can make you cry a lot. Look at Prithvi Shaw. Love cricket and bring passion,” Basit said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
While Jaiswal attempts to rediscover his form for Rajasthan Royals, young talents like Priyansh Arya and Sai Sudharsan are stealing the spotlight. Arya smashed a record-breaking 39-ball century against Chennai Super Kings, while Sudharsan’s consistent brilliance—highlighted by a composed 82 off 53 against Rajasthan Royals—has placed him second in the Orange Cap race with 273 runs in five matches.
Commenting on the generational shift in Indian cricket, Basit also supported Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from the T20 format after India’s triumphant World Cup run in 2024.
“Rohit and Virat made the right decision to retire. I felt Virat shouldn’t have retired, but it was the right decision. India has a lot of players,” he added.
As Indian cricket continues to unearth fresh talent, the spotlight remains firmly on Jaiswal to bounce back and reclaim his place among the game’s rising stars.