Yashasvi Jaiswal struck an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls to power India to a nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 20 June, completing a 3-0 series sweep. Speaking after the match, the young left-handed opener credited senior batter Rohit Sharma as a key influence behind his rapid evolution in white-ball cricket.

Jaiswal's Match-Winning Knock

Jaiswal's second ODI century in just three innings set the tone for a dominant chase. He and Rohit, who contributed 79, stitched together a 170-run opening partnership that dismantled Afghanistan's target of 219 with a remarkable 128 balls to spare. The innings underlined Jaiswal's growing authority across formats at a stage when many openers still struggle to adapt from Test to limited-overs cricket.

What Rohit Sharma's Guidance Means to Jaiswal

'White-ball cricket demands a different mindset. And the best way to improvise that aspect is by talking to someone like Rohit Bhai. I have had a lot of conversations with him during this series, and even before the third ODI, we had some great chats,' Jaiswal said in a post-match interview.

He elaborated: 'I keep asking him questions about how to read situations, how to play different bowlers, and how to handle pressure in the middle overs. He always gives me amazing answers. His advice helps me a lot during my innings. I feel more confident when I know what to expect. I am really enjoying this learning process.'

Format Adaptability and Team Culture

Jaiswal said he does not mentally separate formats, instead focusing on what each situation demands from him. 'I don't think too much about which format I am playing. My focus is always on what the team needs from me and how I can prepare for that. Whether it's Test cricket, T20s, or ODIs, I make sure I adapt my game accordingly,' he said.

He also acknowledged the role of head coach Gautam Gambhir and the support staff in sharpening his self-awareness. 'The communication with the support staff and Gautam Gambhir sir has been very clear. They have helped me understand my game better,' he added. Jaiswal noted that the dressing room's collective positivity — teammates observing, supporting, and celebrating each other's success — has been a significant driver of his own motivation.

India's Series Performance and the World Cup Horizon

The series win was built on a complete team effort. Prasidh Krishna claimed a maiden ODI five-wicket haul of 5 for 23 to bowl Afghanistan out for 218, despite a fighting century from Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. The clean sweep also marks India's first ODI series victory under the captaincy of Shubman Gill.

Looking further ahead, Jaiswal revealed that preparation for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 has already commenced within the squad. 'Everyone in the squad knows their role and what they need to work on. We know that the World Cup is the bigger picture, but we can't get ahead of ourselves. For now, I am just enjoying the moment and taking it one game at a time,' he said.