Pakistan Legend Waqar Younis Wants Abhishek Sharma Replacement In India T20 Team

Waqar Younis praises Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @BCCI, @CallMeSheri1_/x]

Waqar Younis has heaped a significant praise on India’s batting reserves after the ‘Men in Blue’ secured a comprehensive win over Pakistan at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Praising India’s bench strength, the former Pakistan fast bowler stated that he would like to see someone of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s caliber getting a chance at the international level for the Indian team.

It is worth noting that Jaiswal, who holds a T20I average of 36.15 and a strike rate of nearly 165, is struggling to find a place in the national XI. The Indian cricket team is currently content with the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan at the showpiece event.

Waqar Younis hails India’s bench strength

Waqar Younis praised the Indian cricket team and its bench strength after the ‘Men in Blue’ pulverized Pakistan in yet another one-sided faceoff. With the likes of Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube firing on all cylinders; in a line-up that also consisted of star performers like Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya; Younis pointed out that India’s batting reserves are so strong that they have to keep someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the squad.

While speaking with the broadcasters after the match, the former Pakistan fast bowler praised young Jaiswal by saying, “But what’s great is the quality of some of the guys they left out. Someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal, I really like his batting. And will want to see him come in and bat someday. But overall, it’s a very strong team and theres the bench and others outside.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal on the sidelines despite Abhishek Sharma’s struggles

World number 1 ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma is yet to light up this 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the Indian team. The blistering left-handed opener has registered two ducks in succession in both his innings this tournament after missing the match against Namibia owing to illness.

Moreover, Abhishek Sharma has registered four ducks in his last six T20I innings overall, which included a couple of ducks during India’s five-match home series against New Zealand last month.

With Sharma struggling to justify his place in the national squad, fellow young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is waiting in the wings for an opportunity. Many fans and cricket experts even believe that Jaiswal’s consistency and attacking prowess make him a strong candidate to step in if the team management looks to make a change.

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old has not played a single T20I for India since July 2024 in Sri Lanka. In spite of his repeated exclusions, Yashasvi Jaiswal still averages 36.15 in T20Is for India with a staggering strike rate of 164.31. He is also one of the most prolific batters in IPL for the past few seasons.

Unbeaten India marches into Super 8

By defeating Pakistan with a 61-run margin, Team India registered its third successive win in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As of now, the Indian cricket team is placed at the top of the Group A points table.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the ‘Men in Blue’ also became the first side from Group A to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Team India will now face Netherlands on February 18 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.