Yashasvi Jaiswal beats Shubman Gill to become India's Champions Trophy opener for Sunil Gavaskar: '...will create a big impact'

Gavaskar explained that he is leaning towards selecting Jaiswal for the Indian team due to the strategic advantage of having a left-hand-right-hand opening combination. "Being an Indian selector is no easy task. Personally, I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal's left-handedness brings a valuable dynamic to the team. The presence of white balls in play can be a significant factor, both positively and negatively," Gavaskar shared during his appearance on Star Sports.

"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.

Jaiswal vs Gill for Champions Trophy opening slot

If this is to happen, Jaiswal may have to be given a chance in India's upcoming ODI series against England, which is a precursor to the Champions Trophy. However, this would mean dislodging Shubman Gill from that position. While his Test record has been shaky, Gill has been highly succesfull in ODIs, scoring 2328 runs 47 ODIs at an average of 58.20 with six centuries and 13 half-centuries.

Jaiswal averages 53.96 in the 32 List A matches that he has played thus far in his career. He has also shown a high degree of adaptability, striking at 150.25 in 104 T20s and averaging 62.40 in 35 first class matches. In 19 Tests that he has played, Jaiswal has scored 1798 runs at an average of 52.88 with four centuries and 10 half-centuries. He has also scored 723 runs in 23 T20Is at a strike rate of 164.31 with one century and five half-centuries.

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