Published: Jan 19, 2025, 03:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 19, 2025, 03:33 PM (IST)
23-year-old young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was taken in India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025, even though he has not made his debut in ODI cricket. However, even though he has collected 1,771 runs in international cricket in 2024, Jaiswal might not get named in the playing XI for the Champions Trophy, with captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill set to open the batting.
Speaking on this topic, 2011 World Cup-winner Suresh Raina also copied the resolution of leaving Jaiswal as the opener. As he responded to a question in a press conference on Star Sports Press Room, Raina concluded that Jaiswal being included would be a concern for India.
“It is a valid question. There will certainly be a concern as to how Jaiswal comes into the XI. Otherwise there is only one left-hander in the XI, which is Rishabh Pant,” Raina said.
“So then do you put Jaiswal at No. 3, or make him open, send Gill at 3, Virat Kohli at 4?” he added.
However, even though there is a lack of left-handed players in India’s XI, Raina has stated that he would not change the opening combination.
“I would open with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. When Gill gets set, he goes on to make a big score. But Jaiswal will be so important for Rohit Sharma as a second opener, particularly if Rohit or Gill get injured,” Raina concluded.
Will Shubman Gill has an average of 58 in ODIs, he was only the fifth-highest run-scorer at 2023 World Cup, and failed to notch up even a century. On the other hand, Jaiswal has scored 582 more runs than Gill in the 2024 year.
