“You Might Not Even Miss Rohit Sharma”: Aakash Chopra Backs Yashasvi Jaiswal–Shubman Gill Opening Pair for ODIs

Aakash Chopra believes Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill could form such a strong ODI opening pair that India might not even miss Rohit Sharma.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s impressive rise in red-ball cricket has started discussions about his potential across formats. Jaiswal, who scored a commanding 175 off 258 balls in the ongoing West Indies Test, has so far played 26 Tests, one ODI, and 23 T20Is for India.

Former opener Aakash Chopra believes Jaiswal is close to becoming an all-format regular, citing his IPL consistency and T20I success. Chopra also feels that once Jaiswal begins opening alongside Shubman Gill in ODIs, India may not feel the absence of Rohit Sharma.

“I think it’s only a matter of time. You will find Yashasvi Jaiswal being blooded in all formats one by one. He has already played T20Is, and he scored a hundred as well. He plays very well in the IPL. He was part of the T20 World Cup team as well. After that, Shubman Gill went ahead of him in the race from the leadership perspective,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Shubman became a part of the Asia Cup team. Yashasvi is still not there. He will break into the team. You won’t be able to keep him far for long, although an interesting discussion has started about whether you want to play Abhishek Sharma in ODIs. I feel Yashasvi might get a chance before him, and should as well. If Yashasvi and Shubman Gill open in ODIs, you might not even miss Rohit then,” he added.

‘750-Plus Run Season Loading’: Jaiswal Tipped for Big IPL Year

Aakash Chopra also believes Jaiswal’s peak IPL season is yet to come, predicting a 750-plus run campaign soon. He expects Jaiswal to become a permanent feature in India’s T20 setup after the 2026 World Cup, potentially pushing Shubman Gill to the No. 3 position.

“In T20 cricket, I feel his best IPL season has not come yet. A 750 to 800-run IPL season will definitely come for him because he is that kind of player. He has the hunger and stroke making is par excellence. The combination of the two is magical,” he said.

“Whenever you give Yashasvi a chance, he will grab it, and when he grabs it, then you won’t miss others. Shubman Gill might go to No. 3 in T20 cricket and Yashasvi might open. By the World Cup, I feel he will become a part of the team, and might be seen playing in the XI after the World Cup,” Chopra added.

READ ALSO | Mohammad Kaif Criticises Selectors for Ignoring Sanju Samson in Australia ODIs

Both Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are part of India’s squad for the ODI series against Australia beginning October 19.