Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik suggested Yashasvi Jaiswal as the backup opener for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set to lead India’s ODI batting lineup.
Karthik Sees Jaiswal as Backup Opener for 2025 Champions Trophy
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed his thoughts on the Indian team’s strategy for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.Â
According to Karthik, the current opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is likely to remain intact for the prestigious tournament.
 While Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young and talented southpaw, has showcased exceptional skills in domestic cricket, Karthik believes that he may have to wait for his turn as he will likely be the backup opener.
Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma: The Trusted Opening Pair
Karthik pointed out that the management is unlikely to disrupt the proven combination of Rohit and Shubman, especially given their recent performances.Â
Shubman, who was named vice-captain for the ODI team ahead of players like KL Rahul, has been in great form, further solidifying his place in the squad.Â
With the Champions Trophy just around the corner and only three ODIs scheduled before the tournament, the focus seems to be on maintaining consistency at the top of the order.Â
Karthik emphasised that Shubman’s place is secure unless he experiences a significant dip in form.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: A Promising Backup
Yashasvi Jaiswal, although yet to make his ODI debut, has made a strong case for himself with impressive performances in domestic cricket.Â
The 22-year-old has a remarkable List A average of 53.96, with 1,511 runs from 32 innings, including five centuries and a double century.
 Despite his form, Jaiswal was benched throughout the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. However, Karthik reassures that Jaiswal’s opportunity will come, potentially sooner if Shubman fails to meet expectations.
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