India captain Shubman Gill believes the fierce competition for batting spots is a welcome problem as the team continues to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Following India’s 3-0 ODI series sweep over Afghanistan, Gill praised the depth in the squad after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten century and Rohit Sharma’s composed half-century guided the hosts to another convincing win in Chennai.
With several in-form openers vying for limited places, Gill insisted that strong internal competition will only strengthen India’s chances in the long run.
Shubman Gill opens up on the top-order headache
Addressing the growing debate over India’s top-order combinations, Gill admitted that choosing the final XI will not be easy but welcomed the abundance of talent available.
“It’s a good kind of headache having all the players that are performing,” Gill said after the series victory.
He added that the squad for the upcoming England tour would play a major role in determining the final combination.
“We will see the ODI squad for England and we will put out our best XI. We will see where everyone’s fitness is. If everyone is fit, the squad will be announced and based on that, we will try to make the best XI possible,” Gill explained.
The captain’s remarks come at a time when India have multiple opening options, including Gill himself, Rohit, Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has also indicated that Sai Sudharsan is being considered as a future ODI opener, adding another name to an increasingly competitive race.
Yashasvi Jaiswal responds in style after Lucknow setback
Jaiswal made a strong statement in Chennai after being dismissed cheaply in the second ODI in Lucknow. The left-hander remained unbeaten through the chase, compiling a superb century that showcased both patience and attacking flair. Veteran opener Rohit complemented him perfectly with an unbeaten 79 from 69 deliveries as India comfortably chased down 219 without major trouble.
Although Jaiswal has not been a regular fixture in India’s ODI setup, his latest innings further strengthened his case for a permanent role. Ironically, he had also scored an unbeaten hundred against a quality South African bowling attack last year before slipping out of the playing XI as team combinations changed.
Reflecting on his journey, Jaiswal credited the support staff for keeping him motivated despite the uncertainty.
“I just focus on my process, what is in my control, and try to work hard as much as I can. There’s all the support from the support staff,” Jaiswal said.
“They have been amazing to me and the communication is unreal. I know what’s going on and I’m really enjoying it,” he added.
As India prepare for the ODI series in England, the selection battle is expected to intensify. However, Gill appears unfazed by the challenge. Instead, he views the wealth of batting options as a sign that Indian cricket is in a healthy place, with multiple players pushing each other to perform and raising the team’s standards ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
