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Indian team under the leadership of Rohit Sharma will take on West Indies in a three-match ODI series and the first match of the series will take place on February 6 (Sunday), in Ahmedabad.
But team India’s preparation faced a huge blow after their opening batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikawd were tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. In a situation like this, the Indian team management faced a big challenge to choose opening batsmen.
No place for Mayank
Mayank Agarwal was named as a replacement but he will not be available for the first match because of his mandatory quarantine.
In a situation like this, Rohit opened up on the topic of opening batsmen and named Ishan Kishan as the opening batter. While talking on the issue, Rohit said that the Covid-19 pandemic has made things “tricky” and named Ishan Kishan as the opening batsman as Mayank will not be available for the first ODI.
“It's tricky what's happening with Covid, to predict how long it'll take to recover. Our positive players are in isolation. Everyone knows they could get an opportunity at any time. We've made it clear anyone could have to perform any role,” Rohit said during a press conference.
“Ishan Kishan will open the batting with me. Mayank Agarwal is still in quarantine,” Rohit added.
Lack of experience
Apart from the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian team face another big challenge and that is lack of experience in the side. And while talking about it, India’s limited-overs skipper did admit that 'the guys who are coming in now haven't played a lot of ODI cricket” but he also said that they “always have a Plan B.”
“The guys who are coming in now haven't played a lot of ODI cricket. We have to support them to get adjusted. We have time and will try to do things differently over the next few months. If it works it works but we always have a Plan B.
“Our top three batters have done well for the past many years. Young batters will keep getting opportunities in the future. Whoever does well will get opportunities. Shikhar and Ruturaj have Covid now so Ishan is getting a chance,” Rohit Said.
