Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels like the selectors should go for Shubman Gill ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third opener for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. He highlighted that Gill might be in the playing XI if he is picked in the squad, but the question arises: who would do wicketkeeping if the Indian Test Captain replaces Sanju Samson as the opener?
The Asia Cup 2025 is all set to take place from September 9 in the UAE. The selectors will be releasing the Indian squad on August 19, September, with Gill being the potential one for the third opener slot.
In a video shared by Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, he stated that Samson would have to bat at No. 5 if Gill joins the squad.
He said,
"I don't think anyone needs to go out. It's important that you keep another opener with you. India didn't pick a third opener in the T20I series against England. They weren't even thinking about who would open if either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson lost form. If you don't keep the third opener here, you will have to keep him in the World Cup."
Further, he said,
"However, if Shubman Gill is the third opener, do you want to make him sit on the bench? If you don't do that and play him in the XI, in whose place will you play him? If that player's name is Sanju Samson, who will keep him? That is the problem. You don't see Sanju Samson batting in the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will play at No. 3 and No. 4, and Sanju at No. 5? That won't be a good story."
The former cricketer also stated that Jitesh Sharma can turn out to be a great option if India needs a middle wicketkeeper batter.