As India’s selectors prepare to meet on August 19 to finalise the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, the debate around the opening slots has intensified. Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Yashasvi Jaiswal currently holds a slight edge over Shubman Gill in the pecking order, largely due to his natural T20 style of batting.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra stressed the importance of including a third opener in the 15-member squad, given that the first-choice pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson cannot be solely relied upon. “It is important to have a backup opener. If Abhishek or Samson lose form, who will step up? You need that cushion for the Asia Cup and the World Cup ahead,” Chopra explained.
While both Gill and Jaiswal have been away from T20Is for over a year, Jaiswal’s fearless approach and suitability for the shortest format, according to Chopra, make him a better fit at present. “As per T20 numbers, Yashasvi is a little ahead. His game aligns well with India’s current T20 template. If you pick Gill, who is Test captain and ODI vice-captain, having him sit out in T20Is won’t look good. If you include him, then he must play in the XI,” he said.
The dilemma, however, lies in fitting either Gill or Jaiswal into an already settled batting order. With Abhishek and Samson opening, followed by Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, and Hardik Pandya, the line-up looks stable. Removing one of the incumbents could disrupt balance, while placing Sanju Samson in the middle order would also be an uneasy fit.
Chopra added that if the team is searching for a finisher at number five, Jitesh Sharma might be a stronger candidate than Samson. “Sanju is most effective at the top. At number five, you need someone like Jitesh Sharma, who has proven his finishing skills in the IPL,” he remarked.
With the Asia Cup scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, the upcoming selection meeting will likely answer some of these questions. For now, the contest between Gill and Jaiswal remains one of the most intriguing subplots in India’s squad deliberations.
