Young Indian opener Yashasvi jaiswalat just 23, has cemented his status as a high-potential, three-format prospect for the national team, impressing selectors and fans alike with his aggressive style and composure against world-class bowling.

Viewing himself as a stalwart of India’s future, Jaiswal recently expanded on his career aspirations during a conversation on entrepreneur Raj shamani‘s popular podcast. While a World Cup victory for India remains his ultimate dream, Jaiswal candidly shared his previously unrevealed ambition of one day captaincy the national team. This declaration places him in the conversation for India’s long-term leadership, though the immediate path is complex due to existing plans.

Yashasvi Jaiswal expresses his desire to captain India in the future

Young Indian batting sensation Jaiswal has clearly articulated his long-term goal of taking on a leadership role for the national cricket team, a reflection of his ambitious nature and vision for personal growth. Speaking on entrepreneur Shamani’s podcast, the left-handed opener stated his ultimate desire: “One day, I want to be a captain,” signaling his intent to evolve beyond just a premier batter.

He emphasized that this aspiration is deeply tied to his commitment to self-improvement and physical readiness, highlighting that he is “focusing a lot on my fitness” and “learning more about my body” to meet the rigorous demands of leadership. Jaiswal understands that maintaining peak fitness and continually honing his skills are essential prerequisites for growing into a credible leader on the field. The 23-year-old stressed the importance of a daily commitment, adding: “Every day, I have to work on myself to evolve myself into a leader,” which shows his methodical approach to the role.

Despite his obvious talent and being a regular Test starter, he faces tough competition in India’s top-order talent pool, which currently pushes him down the pecking order in limited-overs formats. Nevertheless, Jaiswal’s flair, composure, and aggressive manner have already demonstrated his capacity to influence the game, marking him as a serious contender for future national responsibilities. His focus remains fixed on winning a World Cup for the country, with captaincy serving as an underlying career objective.

Shubman Gill takes over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma

While Jaiswal has made his national captaincy ambition clear, the immediate landscape of Indian cricket leadership presents a significant obstacle, as the BCCI has already begun to groom his peer, Shubman Gill. Gill, who is around the same age, has officially taken charge of India’s leadership in both ODIs and Tests following the conclusion of the Rohit Sharma era, with the full support of the BCCI for the long-term role.

This established succession plan means a national leadership role is not expected for Jaiswal in the foreseeable future, despite his status as one of India’s brightest young stars. Consequently, Jaiswal’s immediate opportunity to fulfill his leadership aspiration may likely commence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his team, the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The RR franchise is currently undergoing a period of comprehensive revamp, and there is increasing speculation surrounding the long-term future of current captain Sanja Samson.

With swirling rumours about Samson’s potential departure or being moved on, Jaiswal, who has been an RR stalwart and the face of the team’s future, might find himself in line for a shot at the IPL captaincy role. Elevating Jaiswal would allow the franchise to build their team around him, utilizing his talent and ambition as the foundation for their next successful phase.