Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra has opined that India might not require the services of opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament. He even stated that Jaiswal might even lose his place in the final 15 that has to be named by February 12.
The former India opener noted that the batting order appears established and that Jasprit Bumrah's injury concerns may force the squad to make sweeping changes to find the correct combination.
On February 6, Yashasvi Jaiswal made his ODI debut at Nagpur, playing the opener of a three-game series against England. The left-handed batter opened alongside Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill at third and Shreyas Iyer at fourth in place of an ailing Virat Kohli. Jaiswal looked bright on his debut, striking a couple of boundaries before succumbing to Jofra Archer's pace for 15.
India dropped Jaiswal for the second game when Virat Kohli returned to the XI for the second ODI in Cuttack.
"The batting order is looking set. Rohit has started scoring runs. Shubman Gill is our vice-captain, and he is in good form. Virat Kohli will eventually return to form. Even if he doesn’t, god forbid, India aisnot going to drop him. Shreyas Iyer is at No. 4. At No. 5, whether it’s KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, or Axar Patel, the slot is settled. One of the two—Rahul and Pant—will have to be left out. And then you have an extra batter," Chopra said on his YouTube show.
"You might not require Yashasvi Jaiswal. That’s a possibility. You wanted to maintain a left-right, left-right combination in the batting order. Now, you won’t be able to do it. You have played your hand, and that has backfired," he added.
Aakash Chopra also hinted that Mohammed Siraj could join the squad if Jasprit Bumrah is unable to recuperate in time for the Champions Trophy. Siraj was not chosen for the three-match ODI series against England or the Champions Trophy.
"You can’t play Yashasvi. So, if you can’t play him, why take him to the Champions Trophy? I think Mohammed Siraj’s chances of playing are higher than Yashasvi Jaiswal’s. I see a strong chance for Mohammed Siraj to be included, especially if you feel the need for experience in the bowling attack against Pakistan. You might want to go in with three fast bowlers—Siraj could come in. Then, Yashasvi might have to make way," Chopra said.
Jasprit Bumrah is under the BCCI medical team’s monitoring at the NCA in Bengaluru. Bumrah has not played competitive cricket since incurring a back injury during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January. He was chosen to India's 15-man provisional team for the Champions Trophy, although his participation is dependent on fitness.
