Former Indian pacer tears apart Indian team management for dropping Ishan Kishan from first ODI against SL

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan: (Image Source: Twitter)

Former Indian pacer, Venkatesh Prasad has expressed disappointment over not playing Ishan Kishan in the ongoing first ODI match against Sri Lanka. Prasad stated that team India have been biased in selection as they preferred Shubman Gill over Ishan Kishan, who scored a double-hundred in India’s last ODI match against Bangladesh.

"Think fair would have been to give chance to a man who scored a double hundred in India’s last ODI, and in a series where India lost two games and the series. Have all the time in the world for Gill, but no way you drop a player for scoring a double ton. And if one is convinced to play Gill, then can have him bat at 3 and let Ishan keep wickets instead of KL Rahul," he tweeted.

On the eve of the first ODI, Indian team captain, Rohit Sharma had already confirmed that Shubman Gill would open the innings with him.

"Both openers have done really well. But looking at how both openers have gone through, it's fair that we give Gill a chance to have a good run," Rohit said ahead of the first game.

"Gill has got a lot of runs in the last few games, so has Ishan. I am not going to take anything away from him (Ishan). He's been wonderful for us, got a double hundred. And, I know what it takes to get a double hundred, it is a great achievement," said Rohit, who is the only batter to have three ODI double hundreds.

Rohit Sharma, however, assured the fans that Ishan Kishan remains in the ODI scheme of things ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Despite that, Venkatesh Prasad wasn’t too happy on Kishan getting dropped from the first ODI.

"Yes, Ishan is certainly going to miss out but it is very unfortunate. But that does not rule out anything. We are going to try and keep everyone in the mix and see how it pans out for us as we play a lot of games ahead."