Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh shared his opinion on the Indian opening combination for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that if Shubman Gill had not been named vice-captain of the team, then Yashasvi Jaiswal would surely have opened the innings.

The Indian national cricket team recently announced the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The main talking point was that Shubman Gill was named vice-captain of the team over Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and other senior members of the team.

Debate on opening for India with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

While this was the biggest development, another talking point was the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young batsman, who is yet to make his ODI debut, was specially chosen for the potential he has shown in Test cricket and T20Is.

With Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the team, there has been a lot of debate over who will open the innings for the team. Gill, of late, has not been in great form and Jaiswal, on the other hand, has taken his game to the next level, and this has led to many left-arm openers opening the innings.

Everyone said 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 batsman to play but it will be difficult because Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain and will open. 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 also wanted him to be part of the playing XI. But that is difficult now that Shubman Gill has” He has been named vice-captain. Since Gill is the vice-captain, he will open.”

Had Gill not been named vice-captain, Jaiswal would have been picked in the playing XI – Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh also spoke about the possibility of Yashasvi Jaiswal playing, saying that if he plays, the entire batting order will be derailed. He was confident that Jaiswal would play if Gill had not been made vice-captain. He added:

“In case Yashasvi opens, Gill will have to go down to three and Virat Kohli to four. But then where will Shreyas Iyer bat? The train is derailed. I feel Yashasvi should have played because a cricketer should be given an opportunity when you are informing.

“If Gill had not been made vice-captain, Jaiswal would have been picked in the playing XI. Now that Gill is vice-captain, he cannot be dropped.”

Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India will play three ODIs against England, which will be played from February 6.

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