India has taken a 1-0 lead in the ODI series against New Zealand after easily defeating Sri Lanka. With KL Rahul unable to play in the New Zealand series due to personal reasons and Shreyas Iyer ruled out due to injury, opener Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav have been included in the playing XI in the Indian middle-order.
Notably, Kishan did not play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and Suryakumar only appeared in the final game. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has now suggested that Virat Kohli give up his No. 3 spot, which could solve India’s selection problem.
He believes Kohli should give up his spot to in-form opener Shubman Gill and bat at no.4, as he did in 2014 to make room for Ambati Rayudu in the playing XI.
“It’s going to be still tricky. One guy is going to be really upset. I have got an idea to sort this mess out. Have Shubman Gill bat at No. 3, he seems like he can handle that position, and then Virat Kohli sacrifices his No. 3 for a No. 4. He has done that before to Ambati Rayudu once, many years back against Sri Lanka. So that could be a way to sort it out. Ishan Kishan after his double hundred, left and right-handed combination at the top is not such a bad idea,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
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IND vs NZ: 1st ODI
In the first One-Day International, Shubman Gill hit a brilliant 208 as India beat New Zealand by 12 runs in Hyderabad on Wednesday, despite a blistering century from Michael Bracewell. India appeared to be cruising to victory with New Zealand in deep trouble at 131-6 while chasing 350 after opener Gill hit only the tenth double-century in ODI history.
All-rounder Bracewell responded by making 140 off 78 balls before being pinned leg before wicket by Shardul Thakur in the final over. India’s fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bowled disciplined early spells that restricted New Zealand before Bracewell’s late fireworks gave them hope of a sensational win.
