Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the validity of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s selection to the final 15-man India squad for the impending ICC Champions Trophy. Chopra feels that with India’s batting appearing quite settled, Jaiswal may not be required anymore and place can be given to fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, especially if Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t recover in time.
India’s Settled Top Order
As Chopra indicates, India has already settled its top order; therefore, Jaiswal isn’t required.
Rohit Sharma is back and an important factor on top.
Shubman Gill has been a regular in the team and happens to be the vice-captain.
Virat Kohli is going to be an indispensable No. 3 and is not going to be dropped under any circumstances.
Shreyas Iyer, who played a match-winning 59 off 36 balls in the first ODI against England, has further cemented his case for No. 4.
Choices for the middle order are available in the form of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Axar Patel is also there, which should give a well-settled batting order.
Chopra feels that there may not be a place for Jaiswal in this very lineup and selectors might have to rethink his inclusion in the squad.
Jaiswal’s ODI Output and Exclusion
Yashasvi Jaiswal played his first ODI match against England in Nagpur on February 6 but could only manage 15 runs before being given out by Jofra Archer. Having promised much, Jaiswal was axed from the XI for the second ODI with Virat Kohli returning, which indicated that he might not be a regular member for India’s plan ahead.
Left-Right Combination Strategy?
Initially, India appeared keen on continuing a left-right opening combination, perhaps even combining Jaiswal with Rohit Sharma. But Chopra feels that the team management has now junked this strategy following Iyer’s match-winning knock.
“You wanted a left-right combination, but now you won’t be able to do it. You have played your hand, and that has backfired,” Chopra said.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness Concerns
Uncertainty also surrounds India’s bowling attack, with the lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah not yet fully recovered from a back injury he sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January.
Bumrah is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He has been named in India’s preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy but his participation is still uncertain, pending a final fitness assessment.
Considering these issues, India may require strengthening its pace attack, which could mean Mohammed Siraj being included in the team.
Chopra Suggests Mohammed Siraj to Replace Jaiswal
Bumrah’s fitness is still a concern, and Chopra feels that Siraj could replace Jaiswal in the team.
Siraj has experience and consistency, which could be very important in the high-pressure match, especially against Pakistan.
If India decides to go in with three fast bowlers, Siraj can add depth to the attack along with Mohammed Shami and another pacer.
“You can’t play Jaiswal, so if you can’t play him, why take him to the Champions Trophy? I think Mohammed Siraj’s chances of playing are higher than Yashasvi Jaiswal’s,” Chopra argued.
Selection Dilemma for Team Management
With the submission date for finalizing India’s Champions Trophy contingent drawing near, the selection committee needs to manage batting depth vs bowling strength pretty carefully. After all, for all the enthusiasm surrounding Jaiswal, he is still something of a late bloomer-the settled batting and Bumrah’s uncertain fitness might just do the trick.
The Indian team management has a critical decision to be made regarding the final squad to be sent to the Champions Trophy. Although Jaiswal remains a promising prospect, the team’s current structure and bowling concerns may see him miss out, with Mohammed Siraj emerging as a likely replacement. The final squad composition will depend on strategic requirements and Bumrah’s fitness update in the coming weeks.