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Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan snubbed from Indian ODI playing XI

After selecting their playing XI for the opening game of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, the Indian team leadership of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid startled many. The Rohit-Dravid duo made a bold decision by leaving both Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav out of the lineup.

The absence of an in-form Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan from the playing 11 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka a few days ago surprised Indian fans. The pair were not even selected for the second ODI. The prevailing consensus among supporters is that Surya must play since he is in fantastic shape right now, as everyone has seen over the previous several months. Ishan, on the other hand, hit a double century in his previous ODI against a strong bowling attack in Bangladesh. Nonetheless, these two were unable to crack the starting lineup.

However, this may not have a significant impact on India’s long-term prospects in the form. Ahead of the recently completed ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rohit stated that the selectors and team management had informed a number of senior players that they would not be able to participate in all three formats for load – balancing reasons in the coming months, as India prepares for the 50-overs World Cup later this year.

Captain Rohit chose Shubman Gill at the top of the order and KL Rahul in the middle order and wicketkeeper’s position. Reporters posed the same question to former Indian star Mohammad Kaif. He had to choose between Gill/Rahul and Ishan/SKY. Kaif endorsed Rohit, saying that the skipper has made it plain to the squad that he is backing those who have regularly performed well in this format for India.

“It’s a really tough one – Ishan + Surya or KL + Gill. I think Rohit Sharma has made it very clear as a captain. The boys have been playing for the last couple of years, they have been getting runs. Last year Gill and KL Rahul played well. Shubman Gill is opening the innings and getting runs and KL Rahul is finishing the innings, the way he did in the last game – fantastic. What I like about Rohit Sharma is that he is very clear in his thoughts,” he explained.

“Rohit is not going flashy. Ishan Kishan and Surya will tempt you because they are fantastic players but he knows that he needs to give his players a long run, that’s why Gill and KL are playing,” he concluded.

As India has clinched the series, Kishan and Suryakumar may play in the third ODI on January 16. Despite being uncapped, the pair has been called up to the Indian Test team for the Australia series. So far in the series, both Gill and Rahul have excelled. While the opener hit 70 runs in the first game of the series in a century stand with Rohit, Rahul produced an unbeaten 64 in the second match to help India win.

On January 15, India will face Sri Lanka in the third and final One-Day International ODI at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. They intend to make a clean sweep of the Lankans.

 

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Farzeen K

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