Indian captain Shubman Gill has revealed that they have a floating approach in the ODI series against New Zealand. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are going to be India’s top four batters and the Indian skipper revealed they can promote a left-hander in Axar Patel if the situation demands.
KL Rahul, who mostly bats at number five, has also delivered consistently for the team. Rahul has an impressive average of 68.58 while batting at number five in ODIs for India and he has taken the finisher role like fish to water.
“We will have a floating approach for no.5 and no.6. Our top four is set, all right-handers. So if a lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes, and depending on the match situation, even KL bhai can go. So, a bit flexible. Whenever Hardik bhai comes back, No. 7/8 will also be taken care of. Happy with batting group leading up to the World Cup,” Gill said in the pre-series press conference.
Gill, on the other hand, confirmed that he has no neck issues ahead of the series against the Blackcaps.
“No issue. I batted for close to one and a half hours and did my fielding without any trouble too. No issue at all,” he concluded.
India would look to tick the right boxes in the ODI series against the Blackcaps as the World Cup is less than a year away. The Men in Blue has a solid batting order and the bowlers would under the spotlight in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
