India’s promising left-handed opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, is scheduled to link up with the Mumbai squad ahead of their upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) fixture against Goa on December 31st. This confirmation was provided by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar.
Jaiswal, who recently turned 24, had missed Mumbai’s initial two matches in Jaipur as he was recovering from a bout of acute gastroenteritis.
“Yashaswi will play in the game against Goa, which is the one happening on December 31. He will be joining the team either on the 29th evening or the 30th morning,” Khanvilkar stated.
The opener had been hospitalized earlier this month with severe stomach cramps following Mumbai`s final Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League fixture against Rajasthan. Tests confirmed acute gastroenteritis, and doctors subsequently advised him a week of necessary rest.
With veteran India opener Rohit Sharma having featured in the first two matches of the competition, Jaiswal is now slated to come into the team in his place, starting with the crucial game against Goa, which is scheduled to be played at the Anantam Ground on New Year’s Eve.
Jaiswal is expected to feature prominently in subsequent matches for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, his continued availability will be contingent upon India’s squad selection for the three-game ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to commence in Vadodara on January 11th.
In a previous outing, Jaiswal had impressed by smashing 116 not out—his maiden ODI century—in the series decider against South Africa. He had opened the innings alongside the former India captain, and he is now set to partner with him again in the domestic circuit.
Mumbai, captained by India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, has enjoyed a great start to their VHT campaign. They secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sikkim in their first Elite Group C clash, followed by a 51-run win over Uttarakhand. Mumbai is next scheduled to face Chhattisgarh in round three of the competition at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground on Monday.
