Indian captain Rohit Sharma is all set to lead the batting charge of the hosts in the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The veteran Indian opener was rested for the recently concluded T20I series between the Asian giants. With Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill retaining their places in the ODI squad after Sri Lanka T20Is, the Indian think tank will have to take a tough call while picking Rohit's opening partner for the three-match series.
Speaking at the traditional press conference ahead of the 1st ODI between India and Sri Lanka on Monday, Indian skipper Rohit confirmed his opening partner for the three-match series. The Indian skipper has revealed that premier batter Gill will be his opening partner in the three-match series. Though Rohit confirmed Gill as India's opening choice, the Indian captain also acknowledged the recent batting exploits of wicketkeeper-batter Kishan. Opener Kishan scored a stunning double-century in India's previous ODI series against Bangladesh.
“Both openers (Gill and Kishan) have done really well. But looking at how both have gone through, I think it is fair that we give Gill a chance to have a fair run because in the last games Gill got a lot of runs as well. I am not going to take anything from Ishan. He has been wonderful for us. He got a double hundred and I know what it takes to get a double hundred, it is a great achievement. But just to be honest and be fair to the guys, who have done really well before that we need to give those guys enough chances as well,” Rohit told reporters on the eve of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka.
{{/usCountry}}“Both openers (Gill and Kishan) have done really well. But looking at how both have gone through, I think it is fair that we give Gill a chance to have a fair run because in the last games Gill got a lot of runs as well. I am not going to take anything from Ishan. He has been wonderful for us. He got a double hundred and I know what it takes to get a double hundred, it is a great achievement. But just to be honest and be fair to the guys, who have done really well before that we need to give those guys enough chances as well,” Rohit told reporters on the eve of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka.
{{/usCountry}}Opener Gill played a crucial knock of 46 off 36 balls in the 3rd T20I against Sri Lanka at Rajkot. Gill scored 58 runs while Kishan accumulated 40 runs against Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series. Rohit-led Team India will meet Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.
“It is unfortunate that we won't be able to play Ishan but looking at how things have panned out for us in the last 8-9 months, looking at how the ODIs have gone through for us, it is fair to give Gill that run and he has done extremely well in that position. We will definitely try out and keep everyone in the mix and see how things pan out for us as we play a lot of games ahead,” Rohit added.