Despite hitting fifty against PBKS, Wasim Jaffer criticises Yashasvi Jaiswal, saying, “He’s looking a little bit off-colour; trying too hard.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the opening batsman for the Rajasthan Royals, may have found his form again with a fifty against the Punjab Kings, but not everyone was delighted, particularly Wasim Jaffer, a former cricketer for India. Jaffer voiced his worries about the RR opener’s attitude and form throughout the innings, calling the knock unimpressive despite the figures, even though the Royals won Match 18 of the 2025 Indian Premier League by a commanding 50 runs on Saturday in New Chandigarh.

The Southpaw was under pressure for more than just his batting going into the match. His form was deteriorating since he had scored 1, 29, and 4 in the previous games. His contentious choice to quit Mumbai and play domestic cricket for Goa had also drawn notice.

But when RR batted first, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a knock of 67 runs.

“He ought not to be interested in playing for the Ranji Trophy. He ought to be representing India in all three formats for someone like him. He ought to concentrate on that. Whatever Goa had to offer him. At this age [Jaiswal is 23], you don’t leave Mumbai. You can go out with someone who is between the ages of 34 and 35. Jaffer stated via ESPNcricinfo, “I think leaving Mumbai is a shocking decision, but that must have prompted him to take this action.”

“He is a formidable force. I’m amazed he made that decision so quickly,” the former Indian cricket player continued. “Someone who has played from Under-14s to now, for Mumbai, and Goa, a plate-group team that recently entered the elite group – for him to go and play there, whatever time he would spend on first-class cricket.”

The Rajasthan-based team scored an impressive 205/4 when they batted first. Riyan Parag struck 43 off 25 while Jaiswal led the team in scoring with five sixes and three fours in his innings. Jaiswal and Sanju Samson’s season-best opening partnership of 89 runs (38), which anchored RR’s innings. Despite being disturbed by Lockie Ferguson’s wickets in the middle overs, Parag and Dhruv Jurel (13* off 5) made sure they had a comfortable finish by scoring 55 runs in the last three overs.

The opposition’s top order was dismissed early in the reply, scoring 26/3 in four overs. Nehal Wadhera (62 off 41) and Glenn Maxwell (30 off 21) put up an 88-run partnership, but the rest of the lineup fell apart. Jofra Archer won Player of the Match with a final score of 3/25. Jaffer chastised the Uttar Pradesh-born player’s style of play after Jaiswal’s innings, which took 40 balls, was the slowest fifty of his IPL career despite being the leading scorer.

However, he shouldn’t try to play for the Ranji Trophy. He ought to be representing India in all three formats for someone like him. He ought to concentrate on that. He must be thinking about it [the transfer]. since that has been taking place over the past week or two. But for the Rajasthan Royals, runs from him are really essential. He’s pushing too hard, too early, and he’s appearing a touch off-color,” the former continued.

When he leaves, he will be very disappointed: Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher, a former South African batsman and wicketkeeper, agreed with Jaffer’s statement. In reference to the 17 runs he scored in five balls, Boucher said that he smacked a six after reaching fifty and then went 1, 6, 4 off the following three before being removed.

“I believe he faced about 40 balls when he approached fifty. He then had an amazing strike rate for the next five balls. It seems as though he only needed to stay for an additional two or three overs to have the game-winning innings that he is so capable of and has in the past. When he did manage to escape, he will be very disappointed. He was on the verge of playing a very important knock at that moment, according to Boucher.