Aakash Chopra drops Shubman Gill from India’s probable squad for 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka
Former India player-turned-veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels that Shubman Gill may not be in India’s playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka. The first match of the three-match ODI series will be played in Guwahati on Tuesday, January 10. Rohit Sharma will lead the team after missing the T20I series due to a thumb injury in the second ODI against Bangladesh.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “The questions are from above and the answers to the questions are not easy. If Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma open – Rohit Sharma is the captain and Ishan Kishan is unbeaten at the moment, he has scored a double century – Shubman Gill can’t make the team, he can’t find a place in the XI.
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He further added, “Virat Kohli will play at No.3. He has built a fort at No.3 and is the king of it. Who at No.4? I give you two options – Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Was the vice-captain of KKR and has now been stripped of that title, but that doesn’t make him a lesser player, he is an amazing player. No one can touch Shreyas Iyer. I think he shouldn’t be touched because Shreyas Iyer Has been absolutely brilliant in 2022. This player has scored runs in every match he has played for India and it is the ODI format in which his performance has been unparalleled.
Aakash Chopra also said that it would have been a bigger headache regarding Rishabh Pant’s injury as he was in form and had also scored a match-winning hundred in the series decider against England. However, Chopra picked Shreyas and Rahul to bat at No.4 and No.5 and further said that Hardik Pandya has to play at No.6 as well.
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“So let’s keep Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul at No.4 and No.5 respectively. If Shreyas or Rahul is playing at No.5, then SKY cannot play at No.6. Hardik Pandya is also available for ODI cricket now, so Hardik Pandya at No.6 is a no brainer as at least one of your top six needs to bowl. Means SKY’s name will not come in this team. Now it is going to be very difficult for Captain Rohit and Coach Rahul to make selections as it is not going to be easy. You will need heart to tell who is not playing,” concluded Aakash Chopra.
