IPL 2023: Yashasvi Jaiswal will be first name to be picked in T20Is irrespective who's there - Ravi Shastri

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IPL 2023: Former India coach Ravi Shastri has heaped rich praises on Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal who hits 13-ball fifty - the fastest in the history of IPL on Thursday.

In total, the southpaw scored 98 unbeaten runs off just 47 balls as Rajasthan chased down 150 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in just 13.1 overs and nine wickets remaining. The 21-year-old cricketer played shots across the ground and slammed 13 fours and five sixes.

Shastri when asked about an India call-up for Yashasvi said that he would be the first name to be picked in India's T20I squad irrespective of other names in front of the selectors.

"Jaiswal continues to wow everybody who watches him. In some of his shots through the off-side, the head is absolutely still and the footwork is impeccable. For someone who is 21 years old, he has come up the hard way," Shastri told Star Sports.

"Immediately (How soon will he get an India call-up?). The selectors would love seeing what they are seeing. They would love to see such a talent after a long wait, someone who is so good across all formats.

"And especially, in white-ball cricket, in T20 cricket, he walks into the side irrespective of who's there. His will be the first name picked," Shastri added.

'Hope he is kept grounded'

Further, Shastri pointed out that Yashasvi was mentally tough as he faced a lot of hardship growing up. He said others eat Pani Puri while the youngster used to sell it to make ends meet. He said that the Uttar Pradesh-born star would need to be guided properly and kept grounded to get the best out of him.

"When you go through that kind of hardship… Pani Puri, we all eat it. He had to do it to make ends meet. You are tough, you are really tough mentally. You are ready. And you can see he is sorted.

"Let's hope he stays that way. It's important when you come up that quickly. I hope he gets the best guidance, and he is kept grounded. He is not someone who is going to forget it. It's going to reap him rewards like never before," Shastri said.

The commentator also praised Yashasvi for playing down the question regarding his possible hundred in the match. In the post-match presentation ceremony, he said the Net Run Rate (NRR) and not his hundred was the priority.

"Even the way he speaks now, it's so refreshing to hear that one line.. We are obsessed with hundreds in this country, IPL hundreds. IPL is about goals and runs. He was happy with the shot that he played to win the match and reach 98.

“It tells you a lot. That 98 is as good as any 100 anybody has played. It's more than any hundred," Shastri said.