Indian Cricket team is all set to lock horns with New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. After whitewashing the kiwis 3-0 in the ODI series, the ‘Men-in-Blue’ will be looking to repeat the same result in the T20Is as well. Ahead of the first match, captain Hardik Pandya has confirmed that Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill will open in the first T20I.
With the inclusion of Prithvi Shaw in the squad for the series, fans were expecting him to open in the series. However, given the current form of Gill, Shaw will have to wait for some time for his chance.
“Nahi sir. Shubman ne bohot achha kiya hai so usko pehle mauka milega. Actually, mauke ki baat hi nahi hai. (No sir. Shubman has done really well so he will get the opportunity first. In fact, with him it doesn’t even come down to opportunities) Shubman will start because the way he is batting, he will obviously be in the team,” Hardik said on the eve of the series opener.
When asked whether he prefers a left-right or right-right combination for an opening pair, the allrounder replied, “Doesn’t matter. We prefer whatever is available to us. Best player will get the game whether left-handed or right-handed.”
Shaw was finally recalled back into the squad after July 2021 after he scored 363 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022. He was also seen in imperious form in the Ranji Trophy, where he recently scored a mammoth 379 off 383 balls against Assam.
We will have to play our best to beat them: Hardik Pandya
While talking further about the opposition, Hardik stated that New Zealand is a strong T20I team and cannot be taken lightly.
“New Zealand is a strong T20I team. They are a fine one-day unit as well even though the recent series outcome does not reflect that. They always challenge you as a team, which was the case in the 1st ODI in Hyderabad. If they could have pulled out that chase, they would have entered the second game full of confidence. But at the same point of time, we will try our best and know that we will have to play our best to beat them. They will be get rolled over. It’s a fresh start,” added Hardik.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Hardik Pandya choosing Gill and Kishan to open instead of Prithvi Shaw. Here are some of the Tweets:
Last two IPL stats: pic.twitter.com/DSMrai0PVp
— Shawstopper (@shawstopper_100) January 26, 2023
Why isn’t Ruturaj getting a single chance ? I mean he has all the talent and potential to cement his place. All he needs is a run of games
— Raj (@07reddevilz) January 26, 2023
Gill ne last series mei kya ukhada tha?
— ???? (@MayankS40746347) January 26, 2023
Lol, Under Dravid/Sharma anything is possible. Indian cricket will never win trophies unless you select horses for courses, keeping politics and IPL aside. Gill in T20s !!
— Rigil (@rigils) January 26, 2023
I knew this will happen. Shaw was selected in the 15 only to drown the voices that were questioning his non-selection. They will keep selecting him in the 15, bench him till he loses his form and then they will drop him.
— Lt Col Sandeep (Retd)?? (@sandeep4658) January 26, 2023
Mark my words Pandya will not play Prithvi in any of the match!
— Vaibhav Verma (@vaverma) January 26, 2023
This pandya is most biased captain till now, I mean on what basis gill is playing ahead of shaw in t20is??
He thinks indian fans are still living in that era where team was mixing two formats— R (@Thunder3108) January 26, 2023
Subhuman not ideal for t20i. I am not sure why indian selectors and management sticking to same guy on all formats. He is ok for tests and odi. They shd give chance to Ruturaj
— Just4Cricket (@GodLightTruth) January 26, 2023
Why Shaw has to wait? He made his debute before them.
— Shivem Doobey (@1996cric) January 26, 2023
Gill is in his prime form in ODIs
But that doesn't mean that he can play T20Is ahead of many deserving…
— Ravi Desai ?? (@its_DRP) January 26, 2023
I guess this series could be a do or die for Gill (atleast for the near future).
Gill didn't perform well in SL T20I series. If he doesn't here, then management might look to try alternatives like Shaw, Gaikwad & even Tripathi as an opener.
— Advaitya Chandhoke (@AdvaityaC) January 26, 2023
Once he is in Pandya won’t be the captain
— Raks Malhotra (@CricBallerRaks) January 26, 2023
Shubhman Gill is outstanding batsman in tests and ODIs, but frankly speaking.. he has to wait for a place in T20 probables until he improves his strike rate.. Prithvi Shaw is the right guy for us to lead as an opener.. please groom him for the next T20 World Cup ??
— Karthik Reddy (@urstrulykarthy) January 26, 2023
