Is Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI promotion a warning sign for Rohit Sharma ahead of 2027 World Cup?

India National Cricket Team are hosting the Afghanistan National Cricket Team for a three-match ODI series. The 1st ODI was won by the Men in Blue comfortably by 7 wickets. In the 2nd ODI, the Afghans have won the toss and asked the home side to bat first. Rohit Sharma opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Shubman Gill slotting himself at No.3

In the first game, Rohit Sharma and captain Gill opened. The former looked in good form and got a decent start, but was unfortunately run out on 16 runs. With Yashasvi opening, is it a worrying sign for Rohit, as they are trying out a left-hand-right combination for the 2027 ODI World Cup?

Is India looking to drop Rohit Sharma?

Rohit Sharma is already 39 and will be 40 by the next ODI World Cup, so is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Gautam Gambhir is keeping a watchful eye on the former India captain, who has not been in good form in the last ODI series against New Zealand. However, he was excellent in Australia.

The team management might be keen on maintaining a left-right combination in the opening partnership if Rohit fails to deliver in this series and follows up in the England series in July, where India plays three ODIs away from home. Rohit Sharma has to score runs in the upcoming two series and answer the critics who are doubting him just because of his age.

Gill and Jaiswal to open in the ODI World Cup?

Rohit Sharma is the only player among him and Virat Kohli who is under more pressure, as Shubman Gill, firmly established at the top, is also the team’s captain, and Virat Kohli continues to dominate at No. 3. Despite Kohli not playing the Afghan series due to an injury, he has been in excellent form in the last two series.

Kohli is looking secure at No. 3, and Gill is set to remain the first-choice opener. Any extended dip in Rohit’s form could intensify calls for change. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal was not added to the squad initially but came in as a replacement for Virat, who was out due to a hamstring tear. Jaiswal did not play the first game, and in the second match, he was also out early.

Rohit Sharma missed out on fifty

Rohit looked in good touch, but was dismissed by a jaffer of a delivery from Rashid Khan, who bamboozled him for just 48 runs, as he missed out on the half-century. Is this pressure for Rohit, as he will be disappointed not to play a big innings despite getting a start?

Rohit’s position is not under immediate jeopardy. However, if Jaiswal continues to impress and the former India captain’s troubles continue, India may face a difficult but crucial selection option as they shape their roster for the next World Cup cycle. Apart from Jaiswal, there have been some batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma who are also knocking on the door with their excellent List A form.