IND vs SA 2025: 'No place for Ruturaj Gaikwad' - Former India batter tips Yashasvi Jaiswal to open with Rohit Sharma in ODIs

Published - 25 Nov 2025, 11:04 IST | Updated - 25 Nov 2025, 11:21 IST

Former international cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal would open the batting with Rohit Sharma during the upcoming three-match ODI series between India and South Africa. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has made a long-awaited comeback to the national team setup for the series, Chopra feels that he will have to wait for his chance in the playing XI.

The cricketer-turned-commentator welcomed the decision to bring back Gaikwad into the side after the volume of runs he has been scoring lately in domestic cricket. While some fans were hoping to see Abhishek Sharma earn his maiden ODI call-up, Chopra feels that it is the right move from the selectors to give Gaikwad the first bite at the cherry.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored so many runs that his selection was almost confirmed. There was a thought that could Abhishek Sharma come in. But you cannot do that. It is imperative for Yashasvi Jaiswal to get his chance first. Even though Ruturaj has been picked in the squad, I don't think he will part of the XI. I see Jaiswal opening the innings with Rohit Sharma," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

Chopra questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy's role in the Indian team. The former India opener said that the team management is not optimally utilising the 22-year-old's all-round abilities.

"Till now, I am not able to understand what the team wants Nitish Kumar Reddy to do. It's the same theme in Test cricket as well. They get him to bat sometimes and bowl sometimes. On the day, he gets a chance to bat, they forget to bowl him. And when he bowls, he doesn't bat. When he bats, he can't make runs and he is not given enough overs to try and take wickets," the 48-year-old said.

Pant should’ve absorbed pressure instead of rash shot: Karim

Chopra noted that in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who hasn't played an international fixture since the 2025 Asia Cup, Nitish will get his chance to prove his mettle in white-ball cricket.

"He has played 10 matches, but one is still not able to understand his role. He bowled six out of 150 overs [in the ongoing Test]. In Delhi [against West Indies], he did no bowl a single over. It's a very strange one. Anyways, Hardik Pandya is not there, so this will be his opportunity," he added.