Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth feels KL Rahul should open with Rohit Sharma in the second ODI against England if captain Shubman Gill is ruled out. Chasing 259 runs for the win, Gill scored a fine knock of 80 runs off 75 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six.
However, the Indian skipper was forced to retire hurt due to cramps. Gill added 101 runs off 103 balls with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored 35 runs. Gill timed the ball to perfection and continued his love affair of scoring runs at Edgbaston. However, Gill was moving swiftly during the customary handshakes with English players and he should be fine for the second ODI.
On the other hand, KL Rahul was dismissed after scoring a solitary run in the series opener as he chopped the ball back on to his stumps against Josh Tongue.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Ishan Kishan is the obvious replacement for Gill. It is unfortunate that Jaiswal isn’t in the squad despite scoring two centuries in his last three ODI innings. I will bring Kishan in for Gill but open with KL Rahul. Ishan Kishan should come in the middle-order. The turnaround is too quick for India to draft Jaiswal into the squad.”
On the other hand, the 1983 World Cup-winning player said India should start rotating players and even rest veteran batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on some occasions.
“India should start rotating with their certainties like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma to look at everybody from the pool for the 2027 World Cup. They should narrow it down to a group of 20 or 22 and rotate between those. Kohli is a certainty despite playing only one format and can be rested occasionally. India has no chance in the 2027 World Cup without him,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
The second ODI between India and England will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday.
