"Who wants to be an Indian selector" - Sunil Gavaskar chooses Rohit Sharma's opening partner for Champions Trophy 2025

Sunil Gavaskar acknowledged that picking Rohit Sharma's opening partner for the Champions Trophy 2025 would be a tough call for the Indian selectors. However, he chose Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of Shubman Gill as the Men in Blue's second opener.

The upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. India, who are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh, will play all their matches in Dubai.

During a discussion on the Star Sports show 'Game Plan', Gavaskar was asked to choose Rohit's opening partner for the Champions Trophy, with Jaiswal, Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad being the potential candidates.

"Who wants to be an Indian selector. For me, the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal because he brings that left-handedness. One of the biggest plusses or minuses, depending on which way you look at it, is the fact that there will be white balls," he responded.

The former India captain highlighted the advantage of having a left and right-handed batting combination.

"So what is a great delivery for a right-hander becomes a wide down the leg side for a left-hander, which means an extra run and an extra ball. So that left and right-hand combination even in the middle, with Rishabh Pant around, all these things will make a big difference," Gavaskar elaborated.

Irfan Pathan concurred with Gavaskar, pointing out that Jaiswal and Rohit could form a destructive opening pair.

"For a guy who has done so well in T20 cricket, a strike rate of 160, and has had a fantastic year, one of the best, in Test cricket as a youngster, he hasn't played ODI cricket. I would love to see him. Imagine if both of them get going from both ends. It will be a nightmare for the bowlers," the former India all-rounder said.

Yashasvi Jaiswal hasn't yet represented India in ODIs. However, he has impressed in the game's longest and shortest formats, scoring 1798 runs at an average of 52.88 in 19 Tests and 723 runs with a strike rate of 164.31 in 22 T20I innings.

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"His recent form has not been the most encouraging" - Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill's place in India's playing XI

Shubman Gill opened with Rohit Sharma in the 2023 ODI World Cup. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Sunil Gavaskar was asked whether Shubman Gill can be a part of the playing XI even if Yashasvi Jaiswal opens with Rohit Sharma.

"No. 3 will be (Virat) Kohli. No. 4 could be Shreyas (Iyer). No. 5 is Rishabh Pant. This is what the batting would be. So it will be difficult for Shubman. His recent form has not been the most encouraging, you have got to say even in Australia. So with that in view, we will have to wait and see what happens," he replied.

Gill has amassed 2328 runs at an average of 58.20 in 47 ODIs. He had an outstanding run in 2023, scoring 1584 runs at an average of 63.36 in 29 ODIs, but managed only 57 runs in three innings in the 50-over format last year.