During the next Champions Trophy 2025, Aakash Chopra believes that India may not require the services of the gifted opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal.
For both the Champions Trophy and the current ODI series against England, Yashasvi was selected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the backup opener. India gave Yashasvi his first ODI cap in the opening match, but the southpaw was removed for a ball score of 15 from 22. Later, in the second ODI, the Mumbai batsman was removed from the playing XI.
Rohit’s aggressive century in the second ODI and Shubman Gill’s half-centuries in both matches suggest that India’s opening partnership is set. Shreyas Iyer will remain at No. 4, according to Chopra, while Virat Kohli will also return to the running. Of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, the former India opener stated that only one would be selected. The Karnataka cricket player has only scored 12 runs in the first two ODIs.
“It looks like the batting order is fixed. Runs have begun to be scored by Rohit. We have a vice captain, Shubman Gill, who is playing well. Virat Kohli will show up again someday. For heaven’s sake, India will not let him go even if he doesn’t. At number 4, Shreyas Iyer is in. It doesn’t matter if it’s Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, or KL Rahul at number five. One of the two, Pant or Rahul, will have to be excluded. There’s also an extra batter,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
Perhaps you don’t need Yashasvi Jaiswal. It’s conceivable.
It was your goal to keep the batting order left-right, left-right. It will be impossible for you now. He went on to say, “You have played your hand, and that has backfired,” implying a change in strategy following Iyer’s spectacular innings in the opening ODI.
Mohammed Siraj seems to have a good probability of being included: Aakash Chopra
Also, Chopra hinted that if Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t recover in time for the Champions Trophy, India would select the seasoned Mohammed Siraj. Siraj did not make the squad for the Champions Trophy or the three-match ODI series against England.
Yashasvi is not a game you can play. Hence, why bring him to the Champions Trophy if you are unable to play him? In my opinion, Mohammed Siraj has a better chance of playing than Yashasvi Jaiswal. I think Mohammed Siraj has a good chance of being chosen, particularly if you think the bowling attack against Pakistan needs more experience. Siraj might be one of the three fast bowlers you want to bring in. Yashasvi could then have to move aside,” Chopra remarked.