IND vs SL Live: Shubman Gill Ruturaj Gaikwad: Ishan Kishan – Not one, but it will be a three-way race between Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan to open in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. With India’s first-choice openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul not part of the squad, skipper Hardik Pandya will be facing a huge task on whom to trust to open. While Kishan and Gaikwad have played T20Is for India, Gill is yet to make debut. The Gujarat Titans opener though has a stellar start to his ODI career, and also scored a maiden century in the Test format. Kishan and Gaikwad are also in a rich vein of form, and it all comes down to who Pandya backs to open against Lankans. Follow IND vs SL Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
IND vs SL LIVE: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Ishan Kishan in a three-way race to become new opening pairs in T20s, Who will Hardik Pandya trust? Follow LIVE Updates
IND vs SL Live: Pandya to make a huge decision three openers, but only two spots left for the opening role – Outgoing BCCI selectors have given a second chance to Gaikwad, Kishan, and Gill to show their caliber in the T20 side. There is very little to choose between Gill, Gaikwad, and Kishan. All three like to get their eyes in before attacking and have a lowish strike rate of below 140. Gaikwad has the best strike rate among the three players scoring runs at 134. Gill and Kishan’s strike rate of 129 in T20 matches does not make a good reading, considering India have adopted an aggressive brand of template in white-ball formats.
Among Kishan, Gill, and Gaikwad no one, in particular, has an edge. For time being, Kishan is marginally ahead due to the wicketkeeper batter being a left-hand option at the top. If Pandya wants a left-right combination at the top, then Kishan will make the cut since India have very few options in the side with regards to left-hand batters.
IND vs SL: Why Gill and Gaikwad will fight for one opener slot in the T20 side?
- Rohit Sharma is still in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup 2024 owing to his huge experience and world-class record.
- Kishan has slightly pipped Gill and Gaikwad in the pecking order owing to his double hundred in ODI against Bangladesh.
- Kishan also offers a left-hand option at the top, so the management might give him longer rope in T20Is.
- With one opener fixed, only one spot is left. The series against Sri Lanka is a make-or-break for Gill and Gaikwad.
- It is highly unlikely both Gill and Gaikwad will open together owing to their lowish strike rate.
IND vs SL LIVE: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Ishan Kishan in a three-way race to become new opening pairs in T20s, Who will Hardik Pandya trust? Follow LIVE Updates
