"You and I have no idea when he would get a chance next" - Aakash Chopra on importance of IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI for star batter

Former India player Aakash Chopra has highlighted the significance of the third ODI against South Africa for Yashasvi Jaiswal. He pointed out that the left-handed opener is unlikely to open in India's next ODI series, with Shubman Gill potentially returning to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.

The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. Jaiswal scored 18 runs in India's 17-run win in the first ODI in Ranchi and contributed 22 runs in the hosts' four-wicket loss in the second game in Raipur.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that Jaiswal needs to make the most of potentially his last chance in ODIs for a while.

"Yashasvi Jaiswal, this is the third chance. He is not there in the T20 team as well, and you and I have no idea when he would get a chance next because Shubman Gill would have already come when the next ODI series happens. He is the captain in ODI cricket. So it's very important for Yashasvi," he said. (6:45)

While acknowledging that Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century in the second ODI, Chopra added that he too is virtually in the same boat as Jaiswal.

"The same goes for Ruturaj Gaikwad. It's very interesting that we are talking about Rutu because he has scored a hundred already. However, when the next series happens, Shreyas Iyer will take back his place. He is the vice-captain. So Yashasvi and Ruturaj will be out. They might be a part of the 15, but they won't get a chance to play. From that standpoint, it becomes critical that they score runs," Chopra observed.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 105 runs off 83 deliveries in the second ODI against South Africa. However, he is unlikely to keep his place in the XI in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, considering vice-captain Shreyas Iyer's potential availability.

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"If he has to chase 100 centuries, keep hitting hundreds after hundreds" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Virat Kohli scored centuries in the first two ODIs against South Africa. [P/C: BCCI/X]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Virat Kohli would be targeting a third consecutive century in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa.

"Virat Kohli, if he has to chase 100 centuries, keep hitting hundreds after hundreds. He likes this ground a lot. Check these numbers (587 runs at an average of 97.8 in seven matches in Vizag). Whether it's Tests or ODIs, he is unstoppable. He has scored a hat-trick of centuries once. Can he actually repeat that in international cricket? He is rewinding the clock repeatedly," he said. (7:25)

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Rohit Sharma also needs to be among the runs as he hasn't been at his best in the series thus far.

"Rohit Sharma's bat hasn't fired properly thus far in this series. He scored a fifty in Ranchi, but I am still waiting for a typical Rohit Sharma knock because he too won't be seen for one month after this. That's the problem with one format, as Kohli and Rohit won't be there in the five T20 matches. So they should score runs here and leave their imprint," Chopra observed.

Rohit Sharma scored 57 runs off 51 deliveries in the first ODI against South Africa. He managed an eight-ball 14 in the second game and would want to play a more substantial knock in his final international innings of the year.