Rohit Sharma's Decision To Drop Ishan Kishan From 1st ODI Makes Venkatesh Prasad Fume
NDTV
India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Shubman Gill will open with him in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, ahead of Ishan Kishan who had scored a double century in his last one-day match.
India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed the name of his opening partner for the first ODI against Sri Lanka as he picked Shubman Gill over Ishan Kishan, the man who had scored a double ton in his last 50-over match. The decision has stirred plenty of debate on social media, and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad is one of those in the cricketing spectrum who couldn't get his head around the preference. Prasad, in a chain of tweets, criticised the decision and highlighted how such constant chopping and changing has affected India's performance in limited overs cricket.
Rohit confirmed that it would be Gill who will open alongside him in the Guwahati ODI in the press conference on the eve of the series opener. Prasad, however, was quick to express his displeasure.
"Think fair would have been to give chance to a man who scored a double hundred in India's last ODI, and in a series where India lost two games and the series. Have all the time in the world for Gill, but no way you drop a player for scoring a double ton. And if one is convinced to play Gill , then can have him bat at 3 and let Ishan keep wickets instead of KL Rahul," Prasad wrote.
"There is a reason we have underperformed in Limited overs cricket. Constant chopping changing and a guy who does brilliantly and is an X factor is dropped and mediocrity retained.
"In Eng, Pant scored a hundred in the final ODI and helped India win the series. However, based on T20 form was dropped from ODI team. KL Rahul on the other hand barring a couple of innings has failed consistently but retains his place.Performance is not the foremost parameter. Sad," he added in multiple tweets.