Yashasvi Jaiswal limited to 'back-up' role; Karthik confirms India's Champions Trophy openers: 'It'll be Rohit and...'
Former India wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik asserted that Jaiswal is going to be a backup opener in the Champions Trophy 2025.
After getting their hands on the T20 World Cup title, Rohit Sharma and Co. will now set their sights on another white-ball ICC trophy - Champions Trophy 2025. The selectors and team management don't have much time to experiment with the team combination, as the majority of 2023 ODI World Cup players are expected to get retained for the Champions Trophy. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal is one such name who is expected to get an entry into the squad after his impressive show in Tests and T20Is in the past year.
But having said that, former India wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Karthik reckons Jaiswal is going to be a backup opener as Shubman Gill is expected to retain the place as Rohit Sharma's opening partner. Gill was Rohit's opening parter at the 2023 World Cup, where India finished runner-up, scoring 354 runs and capping off a blockbuster year. Seen as the next India captain, it's imperative that if not for injury, Gill will be an automatic starter in the Playing XI, and what better position for him than right at the top of the order.
"Why? Rohit and Shubman are a very good combination. Yes, Jaiswal has a great opportunity to be the backup opener and will get his opportunity soon if Shubman doesn't go as well as expected. And India has a very solid middle order as well," Karthik told Cricbuzz.
After leading India to a T20I series win in Zimbabwe - his first proper assignment as India captain - Gill has been elevated to the vice-captaincy role recently after Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach. The young opener pipped the likes of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to become Rohit's deputy in ODIs and T20Is.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to open in CT 2025: Karthik
With Team India recently losing the ODI series to Sri Lanka and having just three more 50-over games to get themselves some game time before the Champions Trophy. Which is why Karthik suggests India won't experiment much with their opening pair, considering they have only a handful of games left for the tune-up to CT 2025. With Ishan Kishan out of the scheme of things, Jaiswal, who is yet to make his ODI debut, is expected to get the go-ahead - albeit as the the back-up opener - for India in the mega ICC title next year.
"In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, they are just going to be playing three more games. And I am pretty confident it's going to be Rohit and Shubman opening for the Champions Trophy," he added.
Meanwhile, the ICC has to take a final call on whether Pakistan will host the entire Champions Trophy or will adopt the hybrid model, as the BCCI has reportedly decided not to travel to the neighbouring nation.
The PCB has already submitted its draft schedule to ICC, keeping India games in mind. In the draft schedule, India are scheduled to play all their matches in Lahore, including a possible semi-final and final. The India vs Pakistan marquee match has been scheduled for March 1.
