Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar added that picking Rohit Sharma’s opening partner for the Champions Trophy 2025 would be a tough call for the Indian selectors. However, he chose Yashasvi Jaiswal before Shubman Gill as the Indian team’s second opener. The upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy is slated to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. India, who are placed in
Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh, will play all their matches in Dubai as well.

During a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Gavaskar said, “Who wants to be an Indian selector. For me, the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal because he brings that left-handedness. One of the biggest plusses or minuses, depending on which way you look at it, is the fact that there will be white balls. So what is a great delivery for a right-hander becomes a wide down the leg side for a left-hander, which means an extra run and an extra ball. So that left and right-hand combination even in the middle, with Rishabh Pant around, all these things will make a big difference.”

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“For a guy who has done so well in T20 cricket, a strike rate of 160, and has had a fantastic year, one of the best, in Test cricket as a youngster, he hasn’t played ODI cricket. I would love to see him. Imagine if both of them get going from both ends. It will be a nightmare for the bowlers,” the former India all-rounder again said.

In the same discussion, Sunil Gavaskar was also asked whether Shubman Gill can be a part of the playing XI even if Yashasvi Jaiswal opens with Rohit Sharma as well.

“No. 3 will be (Virat) Kohli. No. 4 could be Shreyas (Iyer). No. 5 is Rishabh Pant. This is what the batting would be. So it will be difficult for Shubman. His recent form has not been the most encouraging, you have got to say even in Australia. So with that in view, we will have to wait and see what happens,” he concluded.