ICC Champions Trophy: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal stage opening dilemma for India

Freshly off the disheartening defeat against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the team is under heavy scrutiny. Every move of the players, the coach, and even the selectors involved in the 1-3 defeat has been subjected to intense criticism. To make the situation trickier, the side needs to regroup swiftly for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, slated to start on February 19 in Dubai. So what? It's a different format altogether? Try saying that to a fan or a pundit who has brought up years' worth of stats on Indian stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Anyway, putting the chaos aside, the BCCI is busy finding the ideal squad before January 12, the deadline set by the ICC. However, even if the board and selectors tune out the outside noise, it's a tricky task to build a perfect squad for a format that's been sidelined significantly since the final defeat, yet again against Australia, at the ICC ODI World Cup.

Does Yashasvi Jaiswal deserve a debut in the ICC Champions Trophy?

Every spot in the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, luckily, has multiple reliable prospects available for contention. For wicket-keeping duties, India will have to sort among the likes of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. However, if reports are to be believed, Samson is already out of the minds of the selectors. Moreover, the middle order has Shreyas Iyer, in red-hot form as witnessed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, front-running for selection. How to fit in Iyer along with Rahul, Pant, and Hardik Pandya might have the committee scratching their heads.

However, an even greater dilemma is for India to decide if it's finally time to hand a well-deserving debut to Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal has rarely disappointed in any of the chances given to him, be it in Tests or the shorter formats. Debuting in 2023, Jaiswal is now the highest run-scorer for India in the WTC 2023-25 cycle, scoring 1,798 runs at an average of 52.88. In T20Is, meanwhile, he has scored 723 runs in 22 innings at a strike rate of 164.31. With an unmatched portfolio in the other formats, it's troubling to note that Jaiswal is yet to be handed his ODI cap for India. If the lack of experience is serving as a hindrance, Jaiswal has even better records to his name in List A cricket, strengthening his case for selection.

At the age of 17, Jaiswal made his List A debut against Bangladesh U-23 in September 2019. A month later, during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the left-hander scored 564 runs in six innings, including three centuries and a career-best 203, making him the youngest player to score a List A double century.

Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal: Who would be India's ace for ICC Champions Trophy?

Now, unlike Tests, Shubman Gill will be running for the opening spot in the Indian white-ball team. No matter how his overseas Test records portray him as a batter, Gill has proved his mettle in the 50-over format. The 25-year-old batter was one of the key elements in pushing India past New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final. In the 47 matches Gill has played for India, he has amassed 2,328 runs at an impressive average of 52.88.

Moreover, the youngster has already notched six tons in the format, including a double century against New Zealand in Hyderabad. When examining his partnership with skipper Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, the duo, in their 25 ODIs together, has added 1,732 runs at an average of 72.16, posting a 50-plus partnership on 16 occasions.

With several reports emerging ahead of the final selection call, one suggests that Jaiswal is an assured addition to the squad as a backup opener. However, whether the youngster makes the cut from backup to main opener over Gill remains a point of contention. Things will become clearer when the selection committee confirms the vice-captain for the marquee tournament.

While Gill was given the position earlier this year, Jasprit Bumrah might replace him in the ICC Champions Trophy. Moreover, there is an opportunity for both Gill and Jaiswal to be tested in the three ODIs against England in early February, but Jaiswal’s solid performances in Australia, especially his defensive technique and strokeplay, have shown that he is ready for the challenge. If Gill falters in his chances against England, the likelihood of Jaiswal breaking into the India team for the ICC Champions Trophy will skyrocket.