The first ODI between India and West Indies is taking place in Bridgetown. India won the toss and elected to bowl first on a track which has some extra bounce. India announced the playing XI and has the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
The playing XI of India is pretty good. At the top, Rohit Sharma provides stability and Shubman Gill can accelerate at the other end. The middle order has the likes of Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. The bowling lineup is good with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, and Mukesh Kumar.
Sanju Samson neglected in the playing XI
In a surprising move, the wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson was not selected for the playing XI. Ishan Kishan was demoted to number 4 and played over Sanju Samson. It is important to note that the wicketkeeper batter from Kerala has not failed in ODIs till now. On the other hand, the 25-year-old Ishan Kishan has not much to show for himself apart from the double hundred against Bangladesh.
The 28-year-old has played 11 ODIs for India and scored 330 runs at an exceptional average of 66.00, at a great strike rate of 104.76 playing mostly in the lower middle order. Samson also has 2 fifty to his name. On the other hand, Kishan has played 13 matches and scored 510 runs at an average of 42.50, at a strike rate of 106.03, including a double hundred and 3 fifty.
While Ishan Kishan has good numbers overall, it is important to see his numbers at number 4, where he is asked to bat. At number 4, Kishan has played 6 innings and scored 106 runs at an average of just 21.20, at a strike rate of only 67.09, with a fifty to his name. The selection of Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson does seem a controversial one.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the playing XI of India –
Are yaar firse sanju hi bakra bana
— Hamza Ansari (@ansarihamza928) July 27, 2023
West Indies scoring 400 ???
— Warra os century For dhobi (@wara_os_century) July 27, 2023
Mallu sanju supporters crying ???
— Sameer? (@chuprahakaro) July 27, 2023
India ki jagah Mumbai Indians Khel rahi hai?
— Aahan Sharma (@Aahan00000) July 27, 2023
Sanju is Better thn Ishan.
Ye mumbye Lobby v na ?
— Raktim Ranjan Goswami (@raktim_goswami) July 27, 2023
No surprise about Sanju ,sacked again
And I heard that Rohith loves to back the players and he done it very nicely ?????????— JOEL JOY (@JOEL79450995) July 27, 2023
So the mumbai lobby get nod over the sanju samson…
Politics at its best..
This is Team india who can play an opener in the middle order but can't play middle order batsman to its position.. pathetic.
Reason why india not winning trophy this IPL Franchise merchant.#SanjuSamson— Gravitate (@Gravitate_000) July 27, 2023
No sanju = not watching
— Saptarshi (@CockerelRoyals) July 27, 2023
Justice For Sanju Samson
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 27, 2023
Samson agenda by captain Rohit, man myth legend
— . (@shivvamm8) July 27, 2023
