Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 26 -- India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backed opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal to stay patient amid strong competition for places, praising the young opener as "one of the best batters" and highlighting his consistent performances whenever given an opportunity.

Kotak urged Jaiswal to continue working on his skills, practice and mindset while waiting for his next chance. Jaiswal has returned to India's ODI squad for the West Indies series, but his place in the playing XI, particularly at the top of the order, is not assured.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remain the preferred opening combination, leaving Jaiswal to compete for a place in the side and stake his claim whenever an opportunity arises.

Kotak was spe...