"Tells me they are not thinking about Shubman Gill" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir naming Easwaran and Rahul as India's BGT 2024-25 opening options
Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has noted that Team India may not be considering Shubman Gill as an opener if Rohit Sharma isn't available for the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He pointed out that coach Gautam Gambhir named Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul as the opening options in the pre-departure press conference.
India are set to face Australia in a five-Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22. Gambhir mentioned that Rohit's availability for the series opener is not yet confirmed.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener reflected on some of Gambhir's statements in the press conference. As for the captaincy and opening options in Rohit's potential absence, Chopra said (1:15):
"At this point in time, there is a huge question mark over Rohit Sharma's availability. He (Gambhir) also said that he would inform the media once he comes to know before the start of the series. However, if he is not there, Jasprit Bumrah will be the captain. There was no doubt about that since he had been appointed vice-captain but a stamp has been put on that."
"The second big question was who would open. He said they have two options in Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul, which tells me they are not thinking about Shubman Gill. I had floated the idea that you could try opening with Shubman Gill but he said he should continue doing what he is doing and why should he be touched. It's alright," Chopra added.
Gill amassed 259 runs at an average of 51.80 in six innings as an opener in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he has been batting at No. 3 lately, with Yashasvi Jaiswal partnering Rohit at the top of the order.
"Patience is nice but this tour will be extremely critical" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir's comments about KL Rahul
![KL Rahul wasn't part of India's playing XI in the last two Tests against New Zealand. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/916d8-17313854172771-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra praised Gautam Gambhir and the team management for showing faith in KL Rahul. However, he highlighted the significance of the Australia tour for the Karnataka batter.
"He spoke about the other players as well that they are very good. He spoke about KL Rahul that he has the versatility that very few players have, and since he is being sent up and down the order a lot, we need to be a little more patient with him. You know I like KL Rahul's game. I also feel patience is nice but this tour will be extremely critical because opening there won't be easy," Chopra said (1:55).
The analyst added that Gambhir needs to be credited for Varun Chakaravarthy, Sanju Samson, and Washington Sundar's impressive comebacks.
"There is another thing for which he is not getting enough credit. There have been three comebacks - Varun Chakaravarthy, Sanju Samson and Washington Sundar - and three of them have been incredible. The credit for that, of course, goes to the selectors but will go to the coach as well because he backed them. It speaks very highly," Chopra observed.
While Samson scored his second successive T20I century in the first game of the ongoing series between India and South Africa, Chakaravarthy picked up a five-wicket haul in the second match.
Sundar picked up 16 wickets at an average of 14.12 and made useful contributions with the bat in the two Tests he played against New Zealand.