IND vs SL ODI: Shubman Gill vs Ishan Kishan – Focus shifts to ODIs for India as they begin mission 2023 Cricket World by playing three ODIs against Sri Lanka starting on January 10. The opening combination is the one area that will be a big headache for Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan are the two candidates vying for the one spot to open with Rohit Sharma. Both openers are in scintillating form, and it would be a really tough decision to make. Follow IND vs SL ODI Series Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Kishan scored a double century in his last ODI match against Bangladesh, While Gill is averaging over 55 in 15 ODIs that he has played. In Rohit’s absence, The Gujarat Titans opener has grabbed his chances well. It will boil down to Rohit Sharma and Dravid, now to make a tough call.
IND vs SL ODI: Shubman Gill or Ishan Kishan – who will be Rohit Sharma’s opening partner? BIG Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid, Follow LIVE Updates
Determination. Grit. Effort. 🫶🇮🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/vAL9wyprO0
— Ishan Kishan (@ishankishan51) January 7, 2023
IND vs SL: Who among Gill and Kishan holds the upper hand? – It’s tough to choose between Gill and Kishan as both play a similar brand of cricket when it comes to ODIs. Playing aggressively in the white-ball formats is the one thing India have adopted since last year. Gill and Kishan fit the bill perfectly with a strike rate of 99.13, and 111.97 respectively. Kishan’s strike rate is slightly ahead than Gill, and he also offers a left-hand option with the bat.
Gill is being looked at as an all-format player and a long-term investment. The 22-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong in 15 ODIs and has played a perfect anchor role. The only hindrance that might come Gill’s way is the patchy T20 series against Sri Lanka, wherein he scored less than 50 runs in three matches. Kishan’s double century has made things slightly trickier for Gill. The southpaw is also wicket keeping option, and that might just work in his favor.
IND vs SL: Headache for Rohit Sharma as Gill Kishan opening quandary looms
- Gill is slightly ahead in the pecking order owing to the consistency the right-hand batter has shown in 15 ODIs.
- While Kishan’s double-century should be a clincher, the southpaw is not as consistent as Gill when it comes to run-scoring.
- Also, in the T20 series, Kishan got bogged down due to a cluster of wickets falling in one end.
- Gill does not bogged down by wickets and makes sure to make his start count.
- If Rohit Sharma wants a left-hand attacking option at the top, then Kishan is best placed to play against Sri Lanka.
- If Rohit is looking at the solidarity at the top, Gill will solve that problem.
IND vs SL ODI: Shubman Gill or Ishan Kishan – who will be Rohit Sharma’s opening partner? BIG Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid, Follow LIVE Updates