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For almost a decade, India’s white-ball cricket was defined by the dominance of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan at the top. This trio played a crucial role in India’s success across ICC tournaments, bilateral series, and global competitions, forming one of the most reliable and destructive top orders in world cricket. However, with Dhawan having retired from international cricket and both Rohit and Kohli in the twilight of their careers, India are now on the verge of a transition in its batting lineup.
Harbhajan Singh’s vision: A new top 3 for India in white-ball format
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has stepped forward to identify the trio that could take over as India’s next dominant top order. He strongly believes that Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma will soon be India’s permanent top three in white-ball formats. According to Harbhajan, this change could happen within the next six months, as the younger generation takes center stage.
“I am really looking forward to the time when Shubman, Abhishek, and Yashasvi will be India’s top three in white-ball cricket. What a batting lineup that will be! Those days are not too far away – maybe in about six months, we will see them playing permanently in the top order,” Harbhajan said on his You Tube channel.
Explosive rise in T20Is
Among the three, Abhishek has been the most recent revelation, particularly in the T20I format. The left-handed batter has showcased his destructive ability, most notably with his record-breaking 135 off 54 balls against England, which is now the highest individual T20I score by an Indian batter. Despite being new to international cricket, Abhishek has demonstrated an aggressive, fearless approach that aligns with the demands of modern-day white-ball cricket. His performances, combined with his ability to take on both pace and spin, have led experts like Harbhajan to back him as one of India’s key top-order batters in the near future.
Also READ: Not Shubman Gill! Former Pakistan cricketer picks the future Indian captain
Test dominance and ODI call-up
Jaiswal, who has already established himself as a regular in India’s Test team, is now making strides in white-ball cricket. His exceptional performances in the Test series against Australia earned him a well-deserved call-up to India’s ODI squad for the upcoming England series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jaiswal’s attacking mindset, particularly his ability to dominate the powerplay, makes him a perfect fit for white-ball cricket. With more opportunities in ODIs and T20Is, he is expected to solidify his place alongside Gill and Abhishek at the top.
The established star leading the transition
Unlike Abhishek and Jaiswal, Gill is already an integral part of India’s setup across formats. He has played in all three formats and has been one of India’s most consistent batters in ODIs. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating when required makes him the natural successor to Kohli in terms of batting responsibility. With experience under his belt, Gill will likely be the leader of this new top order, guiding Abhishek and Jaiswal as they transition into permanent roles in India’s white-ball setup.
