Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth slammed India’s team management and selectors for not initially picking Yashasvi Jaiswal in India’s ODI squad against Afghanistan. Srikkanth also questioned Ruturaj Gaikwad’s omission from the ODI squad.
The former Indian skipper highlighted that both Jaiswal and Gaikwad scored a century in respective their last ODI innings. Meanwhile, Jaiswal was named as Virat Kohli’s replacement after the latter was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
However, Ishan Kishan played at number three ahead of Jaiswal in the series opener against Afghanistan.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Ruturaj and Jaiswal must be wondering why they aren’t there despite scoring centuries in their last ODI innings. They should at least be in the 15 always and then be told that they are trying x,y,z. This is where the continuity is missing. You score a century 3 to 4 months back and still get forgotten.”
“That has to be questioned. The lack of continuity is what’s hurting Ruturaj, Jaiswal, or even Sanju Samson. Scoring a century and then being nowhere in the picture is baffling. There needs to be clarity in what they are doing. Ishan Kishan scored a 200 in ODIs a few years back and then didn’t play at all.”
Srikkanth also hailed Indian skipper Shubman Gill, who scored a stunning knock of 84 runs off 66 balls in the run chase of 195.
“He played so effortlessly in the run chase. His drives are extraordinary, which is why he averages so much in India. On Indian pitches, you won’t have the extra seam or bounce. It’s very convenient for him as he likes the ball coming onto the bat. Even off good length, he drives the ball so easily and efficiently,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“The way he handled Rashid Khan was fantastic. Gill must have gotten used to him after playing him in the nets for GT so much. He smashed Rashid, especially in the midwicket area. But the cover drive is his go-to shot. He is able to adapt beautifully to the knocks in IPL, then a Test match century, and now an ODI 80-odd.”
The second ODI between India and Afghanistan will be played at Lucknow on Wednesday.
