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 50-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 two swashbuckling batters missed the second ODI as well and going by batting coach Vikram Rathour's comments, it is likely that both Suryakumar and Kishan will not be included in the playing XI for 3rd ODI. On the eve of the 3rd ODI, Rathour affirmed that both batters need to wait for their chances in 50-over cricket.
"They are not forced (to sit out), I mean, the others are doing good as well. As players they do understand that, and they need to wait for their opportunity, and they are preparing for that, they train hard and whenever that opportunity comes, they do well and hold on to their places," India's batting coach said in the press conference.
Rathour also hinted that Kishan might be picked to play in the middle order moving forward as KL Rahul will miss the New Zealand white-ball series due to 'family commitments'.
"At the moment, he has been picked as an opener but as a batting unit we are flexible and if there is a need to try somebody like Ishan in the middle order, we might have to. At the moment though, he is being looked at as an opener," Rathour said.
When the discussion turned to Surya, the batting coach said, "He has great potential, he has been in great form, it is great to have him in the reserve, and hopefully, when the time comes, he will take that opportunity and do well for the team. It is great to have such versatile player in the team."
Having already secured the series, India will cross swords against Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI on January 15 (Sunday).
