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Team India captain Rohit Sharma surprised most followers of Indian cricket when he opted to leave Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav out of the playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka on January 10 (Tuesday). Kishan scored the fastest double century in 5-over international cricket during India's last ODI game of 2022 while Suryakumar Yadav whacked a stunning century in the Men in Blue's third T20I match against the Islanders. But for some strange reasons, Rohit and the Indian management decided to keep both Mumbai Indians' batters on the bench.
The decision didn't go down well with pundits and fans, many of whom voiced their disagreement on social media. Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad hit out at the management for continuing with 'mediocrity' and reducing 'X-factor' to the bench.
"Think fair would have been to give chance to a man who scored a double hundred in India’s last ODI, and in a series where India lost two games and the series," Prasad said in a series of tweets.
"Have all the time in the world for Gill, but no way you drop a player for scoring a double ton.
"There is a reason we have under performed in limited overs cricket. Constant chopping changing and a guy who does brilliantly and is an X factor is dropped and mediocrity retained.
"In Eng, Pant scored a hundred in the final ODI and helped India win the series. However based on T20 form was dropped from ODI team. KL Rahul on the other hand barring a couple of innings has failed consistently but retains his place. Performance is not the foremost parameter. Sad," he concluded.
Mohammad Kaif echoed Prasad's sentiments and shared his views on Twitter as well.
"Slightly uncomfortable with the prospect of watching an Indian team today without last ODI's double hundred scorer, Ishan Kishan, and last T20's centurion Suryakumar Yadav. Hope they remain motivated," Kaif tweeted.
India decided to play Shubman Gill at the top of the order as Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl in the first ODI.
