New Delhi [India], April 6: Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer weighed in on Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s performance in the IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS), calling attention to the batter’s uncharacteristically slow half-century despite a vital contribution to the team’s 50-run win.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout show, Jaffer acknowledged Jaiswal’s potential to win matches single-handedly but noted that the young batter still seemed out of rhythm despite notching up a 45-ball 67.
“It was the slowest half-century of Jaiswal’s IPL career, coming off 40 balls. He didn’t look like he was finding his form. He was still trying to muscle the ball rather than timing it,” Jaffer said.
Jaiswal’s innings featured five sixes and three fours, giving him a high boundary percentage, but also included 12 dot balls, indicating inconsistency in his scoring rhythm.
“He’s still settling into IPL 2025. The 12 dot balls are not alarming, but they show there’s room for improvement in strike rotation,” Jaffer added.
Jaiswal, known for his explosive starts, had previously scored the fastest IPL fifty in just 13 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. With a T20I strike rate of 164.31 and an IPL strike rate of 149.30, his attacking prowess is well-documented. In the 2023 IPL season, he scored 625 runs with a blazing strike rate of 163, including his maiden IPL century—124 off 62 balls against Mumbai Indians.
Mark Boucher, also appearing on the Timeout show, offered his insights, noting Jaiswal’s late acceleration after reaching his half-century.
“Once he reached 50, he went 6, 1, 6, 4 in his next few balls, showing that he found his rhythm just as he was getting into a flow,” Boucher explained.
Boucher emphasized that Jaiswal was on the cusp of a match-defining performance.
“It felt like if he had stayed in for just a couple more overs, we could’ve seen a big knock. He’ll be disappointed with the timing of his dismissal, especially as the momentum was just swinging his way,” he said.
Jaiswal’s 67 off 45 balls (strike rate: 148.89) marked his first fifty of the season after a rough start with scores of 1, 29, and 4 in previous games. His effort, coupled with strong bowling spells from Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, and Maheesh Theekshana, propelled Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable 50-run victory at Mullanpur.
The Royals will be hopeful that Jaiswal’s return to form signals more consistent fireworks from the explosive left-hander as IPL 2025 progresses.