April 10, 2025: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sent a bold message to Rajasthan Royals’ young star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, urging him to refocus on his love for cricket in order to avoid the fate of Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a promising future for Indian cricket but now struggling to make his mark.
Jaiswal, who was considered one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket in 2023, has faced a difficult run of form since returning from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, where India triumphed 3-1. Despite an explosive start to his IPL 2025 campaign, including a notable 67 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, his performances have significantly dipped, leaving many fans and pundits questioning his current state of mind and game.
Basit Ali, in a recent video on his YouTube channel, pointed out that Jaiswal’s decline may be linked to a lack of focus. He compared Jaiswal’s situation to that of Prithvi Shaw, a player once considered the next big thing for India. Shaw’s career trajectory was derailed due to inconsistent performances and a lack of mental focus, something that Basit believes Jaiswal must avoid.
“His stomach has filled. Jaiswal isn’t focusing on cricket. This is my open message: Cricket can make you cry a lot. Look at Prithvi Shaw. Love cricket and bring passion,” Basit said, emphasizing that without dedication and passion, even the brightest talents can fall into obscurity.
Jaiswal’s recent IPL performances have been underwhelming, and the pressure is mounting on him to reclaim his form. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, the young opener needs to stay grounded and continue his quest to regain the swagger that made him an IPL sensation. Basit’s message highlights the mental aspect of cricket, where focus and passion play a crucial role in a player’s success.
Meanwhile, other young talents like Priyansh Arya and Sai Sudharsan are grabbing attention for their performances. Arya’s blistering 39-ball century against Chennai Super Kings and Sudharsan’s consistent run with the bat for Gujarat Titans have put them in the limelight, especially as Sudharsan sits second in the Orange Cap race with 273 runs from five matches.
As the IPL continues to showcase new talent, Basit also weighed in on the retirement of cricket stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20 cricket. He praised their decision to retire after the 2024 World Cup, noting that India now has an abundance of talent to fill the gap left by the duo.
“Rohit and Virat made the right decision to retire. I felt Virat shouldn’t have retired, but it was the right decision. India has a lot of players,” Basit concluded, acknowledging the depth of talent that India has at its disposal.