In the next T20 World Cup, Aakash Chopra has selected Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as India’s favorite opening duo.
In addition to being rested for the next limited-overs series against South Africa, Rohit hasn’t played any Twenty20 International cricket since the T20 World Cup of last year. The three specialist openers selected for the T20I phase of the trip are Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shubman Gill.
Chopra answered a question on whether Gill and Jaiswal may start as India’s opening duo in the 2024 T20 World Cup in a video that was posted on his YouTube account. He elaborated in his unfavorable response, saying:
“I don’t think that will happen, because if you talk about Gill, you will have to take Ruturaj’s name in the same breath. He also bats similarly – cautiously, elegantly and has the ability to play long knocks. Then you can keep Ruturaj, but I feel neither Ruturaj nor Shubman Gill.”
Aakash Chopra
Yashasvi Jaiswal will be Rohit’s top-order partner, along with the former India opener. He thought to himself:
“If Yashasvi is at one end, Rohit Sharma at the other end, because I feel Rohit Sharma will be seen playing. I don’t think he has said that he is done. (Rahul) Dravid’s extension and India doing very well in the World Cup, barring the final, and Rohit playing in that fashion – I think it’s a done deal.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra anticipates Rohit to lead the Men in Blue and serve as the right-hander in a possible left-right opening combination. He believes Jaiswal is the frontrunner for the second opener’s spot, but he admits that things may change rapidly in Indian cricket.
Aakash Chopra ranks Rinku Singh as the top youngster in IND vs AUS T20I series
In response to another question on which young players from the T20I series against Australia he thought most pleased him and should be included in the T20 World Cup team, Aakash Chopra said:
“I feel Rinku Singh at No. 1 and in the same breath, I am saying Ravi Bishnoi. Yashasvi Jaiswal is at the third spot. I feel it will take time for Ruturaj Gaikwad.”
Aakash Chopra
The renowned analyst also stated that Ruturaj Gaikwad is unlikely to play in the T20 World Cup if Rohit Sharma is included. He stated:
“A lot of people say that I don’t like Rutu. I like a batter like him with closed eyes because he plays clean. How can I not like a technically compact player? Rutu plays well but Rohit Sharma is there, and I don’t see any other right-handed batter being there until he is there.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra finished by saying that if India plays a right-handed opener other than Rohit, it may be Shubman Gill rather than Ruturaj Gaikwad.