Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Yashasvi Jaiswal is a better opening option than Shubman Gill in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament to be played in the T20 format starts in September. The Indian squad is likely to be picked by August 19.
Going by T20 stats, the left-handed Jaiswal has a slight edge over Gill. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra offered his opinion on India’s opening options. “It is important that you keep a reserve opener with you because, while counting the previous 15-member squad, there was no third opener in the Indian team,” he said. “We never thought that if Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson lose form, then who would open. You have to keep a third opener.”
The former opener, who is a commentator these days, highlighted Jaiswal’s average in T20s to build his point. “As per T20 figures, Yashasvi is a little ahead of Shubman. The way he plays T20s and the DNA of the team, he also marries that style. If you pick Shubman as the third opener, who is your Test captain, the ODI vice-captain, you have him on the bench in T20s, that will not look nice.”
In addition to that, Chopra believes it’s difficult to accommodate Gill in the XI. “The selectors will be thinking that if we are going to select Shubman, then we will have to give him a place in the XI. Though picking Shubman is tempting, I feel Yashasvi should be slightly ahead in this race.”
The former cricketer also gave his insights on selecting Sanju Samson as an opener and having Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jitesh Sharma down the order.
“That is the problem because we don’t see Sanju Samson playing in the middle-order. You would want him at the top of the order. Tilak and Surya will play at No. 3 and 4. Sanju at fifth? That won’t be a good story. If you want someone at fifth, then you will have to think about Jitesh Sharma because he has done very well in the IPL,” he concluded.
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