"Don't think he will part of the XI" - Aakash Chopra picks India's opening pair for IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former India batter Aakash Chopra welcomed the selectors' decision to recall Ruturaj Gaikwad to the ODI squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa. He, however, predicted that the CSK skipper is unlikely to find a place in the playing XI and backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to open with Rohit Sharma.

The Indian selectors recently named a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, which will begin on November 30. With Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer unavailable, Gaikwad earned a deserved recall on the back of some consistent performances in domestic cricket.

While discussion India's team selection for the one-day series on his YouTube channel, Chopra backed Gaikwad's comeback. He, however, added that Jaiswal is likely to be the preferred opening option. The former India batter commented:

"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."

Jaiswal has played only one ODI match for India in which he scored 15 runs. On the other hand, Gaikwad has been part of six ODIs and has scored 115 runs.

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"One is not able to understand his role" - Aakash Chopra on Nitish Reddy's selection for IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

India have picked Nitish Kumar Reddy in the ODI squad, with Hardik Pandya still unavailable due to injury. While Chopra's wasn't surprised with the cricketer's inclusion, he went on to question Reddy's under-utilization in recent matches. A perplexed Chopra commented:

"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.

"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," Chopra concluded.

KL Rahul-led Team India will play three ODIs against South Africa from November 30 to December 6. The three matches will be played in Ranchi, Raipur and Visakhapatnam respectively.