Gavaskar backs Shikhar Dhawan to open with Rohit Sharma in Champions Trophy

13, 14 and 13 were the starts the openers provided in the three-match ODI series against England which India won 2-1. KL Rahul, Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane, who replaced Dhawan in the third ODI, combined scored 37 runs in the three matches and the middle-order had to bail out the team.

Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni is not going to score in every match and someone needs to take up the responsibility.

Sunil Gavaskar

A worried Gavaskar said India cannot expect Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni to score in every game. "India have not started well in all the three matches. Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni is not going to score in every match and someone needs to take up the responsibility," he told NDTV. "Openers lack of form has been a worry but I think once Rohit Sharma is fit, he will be the automatic choice and I would still go for Shikhar Dhawan as the second opener.”

Gavaskar is impressed by Kedar Jadhav. "He is a finisher and looking good at No 6. I think India have found a gem in that position,” he said of the 31-year-old batsman.

"The good thing is that captaincy has not affected Virat Kohli's batting and we need him more as a batsman than a captain.

"Death bowling is still a concern for the Indian team but other than that the team is doing quite well, be it batting or fielding. Now, we don't need to hide any fielder and everyone is contributing, which is a very positive thing."