Rohit Sharma faces a major headache about his team selection. India begins their World Cup campaign by taking on Australia on 8th October in Chennai. But Rohit Sharma has a tough decision to take. Star opening batter Shubman Gill has been diagnosed with dengue and is unlikely to be available for the match. So who will partner Rohit in India’s opening order? Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul?
Gill likely missing the opening game creates a big problem for a set Indian top order. While Rohit has yet to claim that Shubman is ruled out of the clash, that is most likely the case.
“I mean obviously he is sick. I feel for him. But in terms of, you know, me being the human being first, I want him to get well, not the captain thinking, oh, I want Gill to play tomorrow. No, I want him to get well he you know he’s a young guy he’s got fit body so he’ll recover he’ll recover quick,” said Rohit Sharma at the Press Conference regarding Shubman Gill’s health.
India Playing XI vs AUS: Gill unlikely, Ishan to open, 3 spinners on the cards
So now the question becomes, who will open with Rohit Sharma for India? India has no backup openers but can do away with some makeshift players. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are the likely candidates to replace Gill as an opening partner for Rohit Sharma. Both Ishan and KL have previously opened for India and have managed to score big runs.
But the opening spot is not their natural batting position. Both the batters are much more comfortable down the order where they prefer to dictate the game as the situation demands.
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Ishan Kishan vs KL Rahul
The southpaw Ishan Kishan is ahead of KL Rahul to open the proceedings for the Men in Blue. Statistically speaking though KL has played more games as an opener, Ishan has a much better average. On the other hand, Ishan playing with Rohit also adds a new dimension to the Indian team.
Rohit and Ishan playing together at the top of the order will introduce the much preferred left-right-handed combo that most teams prefer. KL however still remains to be the designated wicketkeeper of the Indian team.
Ishan Kishan Batting position stats in ODIs
| Batting Position | Inns | Runs | 100s | 50s | Avg |
| Opening | 7 | 448 | 1 | 3 | 74.67 |
| 3 | 4 | 163 | 0 | 2 | 40.75 |
| 4 | 7 | 139 | 0 | 1 | 23.17 |
| 5 | 4 | 136 | 0 | 1 | 34 |
| Overall | 22 | 886 | 1 | 7 | 44.3 |
KL Rahul Batting position stats in ODIs
| Batting Position | Inns | Runs | 100s | 50s | Avg |
| Opening | 23 | 915 | 3 | 6 | 43.57 |
| 3 | 3 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 25.67 |
| 4 | 11 | 481 | 2 | 2 | 60.13 |
| 5 | 20 | 807 | 1 | 7 | 50.44 |
| 6 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
| Overall | 58 | 2291 | 6 | 15 | 47.73 |
