Yashasvi Jaiswal to open India's batting at Champions Trophy 2025? Shreyas Iyer's night movie story with embedded clue

Shreyas Iyer wasn't slated to play in the first ODI against England in Nagpur. However a sore right knee to Virat Kohli opened the doors for the Mumbai batter. Shreyas Iyer scored a 36-ball 59 en route to India's 4-wicket win.

Koushik Paul
Updated7 Feb 2025, 06:42 AM IST
India's Shreyas Iyer in action against England in the first ODI in Nagpur.
India's Shreyas Iyer in action against England in the first ODI in Nagpur. (REUTERS)

Shreyas Iyer dropped a massive hint on India's plans for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with his night movie story following the Men in Blue's comfortable win over England in the first ODI in Nagpur on Thursday. Batting at no.4, Shreyas Iyer scored a 36-ball 59 in a solid counterattack against the English bowlers, who dominated in the powerplay.

One of the mainstays of the Indian batting order at No.4 in the last two-three years, Shreyas Iyer revealed that he wasn't listed to play in the first XI. It was after Virat Kohli got injured that captain Rohit Sharma called the new Punjab Kings captain to be match ready.

Also Read | Shubman Gill roars back to form as India start CT 2025 preparations right

“I wasn't supposed to play the first game. As we all know, Virat unfortunately got injured and then I got the opportunity. It's actually a funny story. I was watching the movie last night. I thought that I could extend my nighttime. Then I got a call from the skipper saying that I may play because Virat has got a swollen knee, and I hurried back to my room and went off to sleep straight,” Shreyas Iyer revealed post-match.

The right-hander's comments give a massive hint at India's batting order in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with the ongoing ODI series being seen as the preparation for the mega event.

If Shreyas Iyer does not figure in the Indian playing XI, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma might open , thus providing the left-right combination at the top. Shubman Gill will be batting at No.3 with Virat Kohli to follow.

If that is India's presumed batting order, Shubman Gill did indeed do justice to his spot with a brilliant 87 against the Jos Buttler-led side on Thursday. The right-hander from Punjab came in as a opener in the Indian team, but slowly and steadily moved to No.3 in Tests. If Shreyas Iyer's hint is to be believed, the Punjab lad is certainly to bat at his new position in Dubai.

Shreyas Iyer in 2023 ODI World Cup

Shreyas Iyer's words left the experts Parthiv Patel and Kevin Pietersen speechless. Following his super show in the ODI World Cup in 2023, everybody thought the stylish right-hander to take the No.4 position with Virat Kohli at No.3 and KL Rahul at No.5.

In fact, for everyone, Yashasvi Jaiswal was Virat Kohli's replacement. Shreyas Iyer emerged as India's second highest run-getter with 530 runs at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24, including two centuries and three fifties, in the ODI World Cup .

Also Read | Injury scare for Virat? Rohit explains why batter is missing IND vs ENG 1st ODI

However, the Mumbai batter chose to stay mum on India's plans ahead of the Champions Trophy. “I don't know what you want me to say, but I'm gonna keep it low-key and just, you know, cherish this moment, the victory,” he replied to Parthiv Patel's question.

In case Yashasvi Jaiswal opens the batting for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will be the left-hander's first ICC tournament. Jaiswal has played just three ODIs.

Catch all the Sports News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

Business NewsSportsCricket NewsYashasvi Jaiswal to open India's batting at Champions Trophy 2025? Shreyas Iyer's night movie story with embedded clue
MoreLess