Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has reckoned that India needs to make three forced changes to their playing XI for the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on November 13.
Notably, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj will leave the ODI squad to prepare for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will commence on Thursday, November 19 in Wellington.
In Gill’s absence, Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, while Ishan Kishan will act as his deputy and wicketkeeper. Tilak Varma, Yash Thakur and Kumar Kushagra have joined the squad. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Rayudu reckoned that India should go with Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad in their XI.
“I would go with Ishan Kishan to replace Shubman Gill at the top and open with Rohit Sharma. Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored a 100, but he has not opened for India in recent times. I think Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad should be coming into the playing XI, and they can be moved up and down according to what number you would like them to bat,” Rayudu said.
On the other hand, former India spinner and commentator Murali Kartik asserted that Kishan should replace KL Rahul, but should bat up the order along with Rohit Sharma. Kartik also included Ruturaj Gaikwad in his XI, while he isn’t sure who takes a spot between Yash Thakur and Mohammed Siraj.
“I think Ishan maybe at the top, and you have played Rutu in the middle order, so he comes in for KL Rahul. You will get the left-right combination as well,” Kartik said.
“I think the most important thing here is that Ruturaj Gaikwad gets a gig. Does Yash Thakur get a gig, or does Mohammed Siraj come in? I hope he gets a game. So, Gill, Rahul, and Kamboj have left the playing XI, so you have three ready-made replacements in the playing XI,” Kartik added.
