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"Personally, I’m Looking Forward...": Ajinkya Rahane Praises Jaiswal Ahead Of England Series

Rajgeeta Yadav

Ajinkya Rahane backs Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @CricCrazyJohns and @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane backs Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @CricCrazyJohns and @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

India and England will begin a brand-new chapter in Test cricket as they kick off a five-match Test series at Headingley, Leeds, on Friday. This match also marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle. 

It’s going to be a fresh start for Team India as this will be their first Test series without legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both retired from Test cricket last month.

Ajinkya Rahane Backs Jaiswal As Key Opener For England Tests

As the series begins, many eyes will be on young players who could make a big impact. One of them is Yashasvi Jaiswal. Interestingly, former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has named Jaiswal as one of the three Indian players he's most excited to watch in this series.

Rahane praised Jaiswal's ability to adapt and said he’s confident the young opener can handle the tough conditions in England. 

“Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing Yashasvi Jaiswal do well because opening the batting in England is really important." Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Thursday.

“He has the game for it — he can control one end and also go on the attack when needed. So I’m really looking forward to seeing Jaiswal perform in England," he added.

These positive comments from Rahane come just months after reports claimed that there was tension between him and Jaiswal. The two, who play domestic cricket for Mumbai, were reportedly not on good terms since 2022. One report even said that Jaiswal kicked Rahane’s kitbag during a Ranji Trophy match earlier this year. He was said to be upset with Rahane and Mumbai’s coach Omkar Salvi after a loss to Jammu and Kashmir.

This fallout was believed to be the reason why Jaiswal decided to leave Mumbai and move to play for Goa. However, he later changed his mind and asked the Mumbai Cricket Association to take him back.

Meanwhile, this Test series will also feature a brand new trophy,  the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, replacing the old Pataudi Trophy and Anthony de Mello Trophy, which were earlier given depending on whether the series was played in England or India.