India’s Test and T20I opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has very little chances of making it to India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025. The southpaw, who has been a regular in the side’s playing XI for the longest and shortest format of the game, is yet to make his debut in ODIs. While it is highly unlikely for him to be a part of the squad, he might just be roped in as a reserve opener. But even in that case, he is faced by a stiff challenge from teammate KL Rahul.
Who will be India’s reserve opener for Champions Trophy 2025?
India are expected to stick with the opening combo of skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in Champions Trophy 2025. However, as always, the team is expected to carry a reserve opener with them, just in case if Gill or Sharma are injured or are unavailable for a game or two. And this seems to be the only manner in which young Yashasvi Jaiswal can earn his maiden call-up to the ODI side. His numbers in T20Is are prolific, having amassed 723 runs in just 23 games. This makes one thing clear – that the fiery left-handed batter isn’t a stranger to playing white-ball cricket.
| Format | Mat | Runs | Ave | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 23 | 723 | 36.15 | 164.31 |
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However, Jaiswal’s entry to the side, even as a reserve opener, will be challenged by KL Rahul. The Karnataka batter is very familiar with the opening position, having successfully essayed that role along with Rohit Sharma in the 2019 World Cup. Rahul’s ability to shuffle around the batting order and blend in perfectly makes him the apt reserve opener. Besides, if he is made the back-up opener, then India are also left with one more empty spot in their squad (or travelling reserves) which can be used to rope in an additional all-rounder or bowler as per the team’s requirements.
Although KL Rahul is more comfortable playing in the middle-order, where he has ammassed more runs, he could very well thrive at the top as well, if needed.
| position | Span | Mat | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2016-2022 | 16 | 669 | 47.78 | 78.61 | 2 | 5 |
| 2nd | 2017-2022 | 7 | 246 | 35.14 | 82.82 | 1 | 1 |
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