Dinesh Karthik, cricket analyst and former Indian wicketkeeper, spoke about the current scenario involving India’s back-up opener for the 2025 Champions Trophy. According to him, Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue to remain as a “back-up opener” for the Indian team until then while Shubman Gill is expected to open with the captain Rohit Sharma.
“What?” asked Karthik when questioned on Cricbuzz about whether Jaiswal would open with Rohit. “Yes, this youngster can also provide backup at the top order and if things don’t work out well with Shubman, then Yashasvi will soon get his chance. And India does have a very stable middle-order batting as well.”
Since the start of last year in fifty overs internationals, India has had confidence in Gill to partner captain Rohit at the top resulting in 47 ODI caps for him so far. Nevertheless, recent fluctuations in form have been a cause of concern recently while Jaiswal’s performances in Tests and T20s were consistent.
‘’They (India) are just going to be playing three more games before the Champions Trophy (against England at home in February). And I am pretty confident it’s going to be Rohit and Shubman opening in the Champions Trophy,’’ said Karthik.
India’s last ODI series was against Sri Lanka where they lost 2-0 to them.
The ICC will host another edition of its eight-team Champions Trophy contest which is slated from February 19th till March 9th next year; it will be Pakistan who will be hosting.
Notably though, India may not play any part here given prevailing political tension between both countries and since 2008 when Indian government has barred their national team from travelling to Pakistan for tournaments.
