Advertisment

‘His recent form hasn’t been encouraging’ - Sunil Gavaskar picks Rohit Sharma’s likely opening partner for Champions Trophy 2025

Indian cricket legend ignores Shubman Gill while naming his pick opening batter as partner for Rohit Sharma ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 tournament

author-image
Ashwin
New Update
Sunil Gavaskar picks Rohit Sharma's opening partner for Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma and Sunil Gavaskar Photograph: (X)

Former Indian opening batter Sunil Gavaskar has cast his doubts over Shubman Gill as the opener in the ODI format. The 25-year-old had a great year in 2023 scoring over 1000 runs in the fifty-over format. Gill, had a lean tour of Australia where he played just three Test matches and failed to deliver with the bat. 

Advertisment

With the team to be selected for the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, fans are speculating who will open the batting. Skipper Rohit Sharma is nailed on to open the batting despite his recent struggles. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill are some of the names in contention for a spot in the team as the opener. 

Speaking to Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, the 75-year-old former India star 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."

Sunil Gavaskar concerned about Shubman Gill’s current form 

Speaking to Star Sports, Mr. Gavaskar also said, “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.”

So far, Shubman Gill has played in 47 ODI matches for India scored 2328 runs with an average of 58. The 25-year-old has hit six centuries with a best of 208 against New Zealand along with 13 half-centuries with a strike rate of 101. His last ODI game was against Sri Lanka in 2024 where he failed to do well with the bat. 

Former India star Irfan Pathan seemed to agree Mr. Gavaskar about Yashasvi Jaiswal and said on Star Sports “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."

Finally while picking his top order, Sunil Gavaskar said, “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.”

Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill Irfan Pathan Yashasvi Jaiswal Sunil Gavaskar
Advertisment
Advertisment