Calling it unfortunate, Rohit said that Ishan, despite his fastest double hundred in his last ODI, would get his fair share of chances as they have 15 ODIs and the Asian Cup lined up ahead of the World Cup in October- november.
Ishan, who stunned the cricketing world with a world-record 131 balls and 210 against Bangladesh at Chattogram last month, will have to wait for his chance, but Rohit assured the left-handed hitter remains very present.
“Yes, Ishan will definitely be missed but that’s very unfortunate. But that doesn’t rule anything out. We’ll try to keep everyone in the mix and see how it goes for us as we play a lot of games forward. “
India will play six ODIs over the next two weeks against Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively.
“Both openers did very well. But looking at how both openers went, it’s only fair that we give Gill a chance to have a good run,” Rohit said ahead of the opener.
Captain @ImRo45 praised youngsters @ShubmanGill & @ishankishan51 ahead of the start of the #INDvSL ODI series… https://t.co/ESyJk1lCgA
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1673269986000
In favor of Gill, his superb consistency – 687 runs in 13 innings with an average of over 57 and a strike rate of over 99 worked in his favor.
“Gill has had a lot of runs in the last few games and so has Ishan. I’m not going to take anything away from him (Ishan). He’s been wonderful for us, got a double hundred. And, I know what to get a double hundred is a big achievement,” said Rohit, who is the only batter to have three ODI double hundred.
“But to be honest and fair to guys who have done very well before, we have to give them enough chances before making that call.”
“It’s unfortunate that we can’t play against Ishan. But looking at how things have gone for us over the last eight to nine months and how the ODIs have come through for us, it’s fair to give Gill that race and he is very well done in this position.”
Surya is likely to sit out, skipper hints
Rohit made it clear that form is important, but so is format and so without naming indicated that Shreyas Iyer will make the cut in the playing XI.
“Those guys who have played will have a run. It’s as simple as that. Sometimes it’s difficult when you compare guys who play in different formats. I understand form. Form is important and so is format” , added Rohit.
It has a lot to do with rescuing head coach Rahul Dravid’s favorite neighborhood, debauched KL Rahul. Rahul was handed the big gloves in order to keep his place in the playing XI at No.5 ahead of the World Cup. This was decided even before Rishabh Pant suffered a horrible car accident.
In the series-deciding T20I in Rajkot, Suryakumar crushed a 112 from 51 balls to single-handedly lead India to a 91-point victory and seal the series 2-1.
Rohit said it was important not to “confuse” the two white ball formats.
“Look, I think it’s a big headache (choice between Surya and Shreyas) to have rather than not have a headache. Honestly, we’re going to look at the performances of the guys who have done very well. The problem comes when we start comparing different formats to different formats.
“ODI is a different format, slightly longer than T20I and we are very clear that the guys who have done well will definitely have opportunities,” the skipper’s vote appeared to be in favor of Shreyas, who has two tons and 14 fifty from 39 ODIs at a strike rate of 96.
“We’re very clear about giving opportunities to guys who have done very well. That’s what’s going to happen as we go forward, play those six ODIs. Guys who are doing well will also have a lot of opportunities.”
For Rohit, all those who have scored points in difficult circumstances will be rewarded.
“We will have to look at who has done well in the ODI format for us, and in what situation they have done well. They have been under pressure and have continued to score points. All those things that we have to count before doing that. is something we’re going to do before making this call — to try to capture everything that’s happened in the last eight or nine months.
Of the 15 ODIs, India will play nine ODIs at home over the next three months – three against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia – before the cricketers head to their respective IPL franchises.
And ahead of the World Cup, India are set to tour the West Indies and face Australia at home for three ODIs each.
Then there is also the Asian Cup scheduled for September, the venue of which is yet to be determined.
(With PTI entries)
