Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Yashasvi Jaiswal would have opened with Rohit Sharma if Shubman Gill had not been appointed vice-captain. However, Singh noted that since Gill has been appointed as Rohit Sharma’s deputy, Yashasvi Jaiswal might not get his chance in the final XI.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal was India’s highest run-getter in the recently Border-Gavaskar trophy as he scored 391 runs in five Test matches at an average of 43.44.
Jaiswal has played 23 T20Is for India in which he has scored 723 runs at an average of 36.15 but he is yet to make his ODI debut.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill has scored 2328 runs in 47 ODIs at an impressive average of 58.2.
Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel, “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 wanted him be part of the playing XI as well. But that is difficult now since Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain. Since Gill is the vice-captain, he will open.”
The Turbanator reckons Gill would have batted at one down if Jaiswal opened with Rohit Sharma.
“In case Yashasvi opens, Gill will have to move down to three and Virat Kohli to four. But then where will Shreyas Iyer bat? The train gets derailed. I feel Yashasvi should have played because a cricketer should be given a chance when he is form. If Gill had not been named vice-captain, Jaiswal would have been picked in the playing XI. Now that Gill is the vice-captain, he cannot be dropped,” Harbhajan added.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma said Yashasvi Jaiswal has been picked on potential as he has shown the right promise.
Rohit said in the presser, “We picked Jaiswal on the basis of what he has shown in the last few months despite not playing ODI cricket. He has been picked on potential and sometimes you have to do that.”
“In that, some players will miss out, it’s very unlucky but you can’t please everyone. You try and make the best team to win games in different situations and I feel with these guys you can have that,” he added.
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
