Champions Trophy 2025 is drawing all eyes, with hundreds of speculations circulating, especially from the Indian perspective. There are concerns that the Men in Blue may not play their matches at the host venue in Pakistan. Also, a key topic trending is how the Indian team will plan for ODIs after the watershed moment against Sri Lanka, which raised many questions—from the opening combination to the middle order.
With only three ODIs left before the Champions Trophy 2025, the preparation time is limited. Reflecting on India’s ODI tour of Sri Lanka, the series exposed several issues, particularly in the top-order batting. Rohit Sharma performed well in all three games, but unfortunately, he didn’t receive the consistent support he needed. Now, the question arises: Will India consider other openers alongside Rohit Sharma? If so, who could open with him? Let’s take a look at three names who could be surprise inclusions and may open with him in the Champions Trophy.
Players who may open with Rohit Sharma in the Champions Trophy
Yashasvi Jaiswal
It might be difficult to push this name forward since he hasn’t played any ODIs for India yet, but there’s a chance you could see Yashasvi Jaiswal playing against England. If it happens, it could be a subtle confirmation that the management is considering him as a backup opener. Jaiswal, who has already crossed the 1,000-run mark in Tests in just 16 games, also has a decent record in T20Is with 723 runs in 22 games at a strike rate of 164.
His Test performances have been particularly appreciated by many, indicating that he may soon be a regular in the ODI squad as well. Although he wasn’t featured in the recently concluded Sri Lanka series, he will likely be the top contender after Shubman Gill for the opening spot. His presence also provide a left-hand, right-hand combination could be particularly influential this time around.
Rishabh Pant
Another southpaw with the potential to open for India in ODIs is Rishabh Pant. Although he could be an unconventional choice, we saw him step into the spotlight during the T20 World Cup, playing at the No. 3 position and performing decently. In his ODI career, Pant has played 31 matches, scoring 871 runs with an average of 34. This is impressive, and to capitalize on this, we might see him batting at the top of the order in Odis more. With his aggressive batting style and ability to utilize the first 10 overs of the powerplay, there’s no one better suited for the role, making him a solid candidate for opening. It will be interesting to see how it goes for him in the upcoming mega event.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Contrasting with Rohit Sharma’s style of play, Ruturaj Gaikwad has his own approach, starting cautiously and then maximizing runs in the later stages of the game. Gaikwad has risen through the ranks, although he hasn’t played many ODIs yet, with only 6 matches and 119 runs to his name. He still has a long way to go, but it’s no secret that the selectors are eyeing him as a potential opener in ODI cricket. With three ODIs remaining before the Champions Trophy, these matches could serve as a crucial test for him. If Gaikwad performs well, there’s a chance he could challenge Shubman Gill for the opening spot, potentially taking the position alongside Rohit Sharma if Gill doesn’t deliver.
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