Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh shared his take on the Indian opening combination for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that had Shubman Gill not been named the vice-captain of the team then Yashasvi Jaiswal surely would’ve opened the innings.
India National Cricket Team recently announced the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. What was the major talking point about it was Shubman Gill being named as vice-captain of the team over Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and other senior members of the team.
Debate over opening for India with both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
While this was the major development, another talking point was the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young batter, who is yet to make his debut in the ODIs, was picked particularly based on the potential that he has shown in Test cricket as well as in the T20Is.
With both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the team, there has been a lot of debate about who will be opening the innings for the team. Gill, of late, hasn’t been in great form, and Jaiswal, on the other hand, has taken his game to the next level, and this has made many back left-handers to open the innings.
Everyone was saying that Jaiswal should have been picked because he showed in Australia that he is ready – Harbhajan Singh
While talking about the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harbhajan Singh admitted that many want the batter to play but it will be difficult because Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain and will be opening. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“Everyone was saying that Jaiswal should have been picked because he showed in Australia that he is ready. People not only wanted him in the team but wanted him to be part of the playing XI as well. But that is difficult now since Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain. Since Gill is the vice-captain, he will open.”
If Gill had not been named vice-captain, Jaiswal would have been picked in the playing XI – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh also talked about the possibility of Yashasvi Jaiswal playing, saying that if he plays then the whole batting order will be derailed. He was confident of Jaiswal playing had Gill not been named vice-captain. He added:
“In case Yashasvi opens, Gill will have to move down to three and Virat Kohli to four. But then where will Shreyas Iyer bat? The train gets derailed. I feel Yashasvi should have played because a cricketer should be given a chance when he is in form.
“If Gill had not been named vice-captain, Jaiswal would have been picked in the playing XI. Now that Gill is the vice-captain, he cannot be dropped.”
Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India will be playing three ODIs against England, which will be played from 6th February.
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