India vs West Indies: Rohit Sharma gives up opening spot as Ruturaj partners Ishan Kishan at top in 3rd T20I

India vs West Indies: Rohit Sharma gave up his opening spot in the 3rd T20I to accommodate Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top. Shreyas Iyer came in ahead of the skipper in Kolkata.

In a nice gesture, captain Rohit Sharma gave up his opening spot to accommodate two youngsters in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan at the top of the batting order in India's 3rd T20I against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After losing the toss, Rohit confirmed that it would be Ishan and Ruturaj and not him opening the batting for India in the series finale on Sunday.

India made as many as 4 changes to their playing XI in the dead rubber after having sealed an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series. While Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were unavailable after getting the bio-bubble break, India rested senior bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal. Ruturaj, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur and debutant Avesh Khan were included in the XI.

India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I live updates

Ruturaj and Ishan came out to open the batting after the West Indies won the toss and opted to field in Kolkata. However, the Chennai Super Kings opener got out for 4 after playing an uncharacteristic knock. He got out, while trying to hit Jason Holder across the line as early as the 3rd over of the match.

Incidentally, Rohit Sharma did not come out to bat at No. 3 as well as the skipper sent Shreyas Iyer, who got his first game of the series, at the crucial spot where Virat Kohli played in the first 2 T20Is.

The last time Rohit played anywhere below the No. 3 spot in T20I cricket was in June 2018 when he walked in at No. 4 against Ireland in Dublin.

GAVASKAR LAUDS ROHIT'S MOVE