As India gears up for the all-important T20 World Cup coming up next year at home, former India and CSK legend Suresh Raina has weighed in on India's opening combination for the marquee event.
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India is the reigning World T20 champions and will be looking to defend their title when the World Cup returns to their home nation next year.
The India team has multiple options for the opening slot, including Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma.
However, Raina has suggested an interesting and surprising choice to consider when the tournament arrives in the subcontinent next year.
Priyansh Arya to open alongside Jaiswal at the T20 World Cup?
After the retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, a few of India's greats, Team India has undergone several changes in the shortest format over the past year.
Suryakumar Yadav has taken over the captaincy role, while the side has undergone a phase of transition with several new, young, and fresh faces added to the squad.
READ: Who will open for India in Asia Cup 2025?
India now carries a vast pool of talented and highly-skilled players and especially opening batters. With the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, and several other openers, India is spoilt for choice.
While talking on the Shubhankar Mishra podcast, Suresh Raina discussed his opening combinations for the big event next year.
"I think Yashasvi is there; they can also look for Priyansh Arya. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul are also there...even Gaikwad has scored a lot of runs. Gill can even be the captain...I think they should choose any two between Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya, and Abhishek Sharma."
In India's last T20I series against England, earlier this year, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson opened the innings for the side. Sharma even scored a century, and with the return of Gill, one of the two batters will make way for the Indian vice-captain.
READ: Asia Cup 2025: Format, teams and groups explained
India has gone with Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson for the Asia Cup squad. While Priyansh Arya is not in contention at present, his performances in the IPL and domestic tournaments have surely made the fans and selectors look up and take notice of the young prodigy.