New Delhi: Former fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticized the decision to keep Ishan Kishan out of the playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, saying that players who scored a double century is not excluded. Before the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Indian captain Rohit Sharma clearly said that he will open the innings with Shubman Gill while Ishaan scored a double century in the last ODI.
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Prasad (Venkatesh Prasad) said in a series of tweets, “The one who scored a double century in India’s last ODI, had to be given a chance.” There is a lot of time for Gill, but how can you leave out the one who scored a double century. Ishaan scored a double century in ODIs against Bangladesh last month. Prasad, who has played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for India, said the current Indian set-up prefers average performance over the X factor.
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 do you drop a player for scoring a double ton. https://t.co/LbzKKH8ynw— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 9, 2023
He said, “This is the reason why we are not doing well in limited overs cricket. Frequent changes and outstanding performer out. Average performance preferred over X factor.” Prasad said, “Rishabh Pant scored a century in the last ODI in England and India won the series. But on the basis of T20 form, he was dropped from the ODI team. On the other hand, KL Rahul failed continuously except for a couple of innings but retained his place in the team. Performance is no longer the norm which is sad.”
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said, “I am not comfortable seeing the Indian team today. Ishan Kishan, who scored a double century in the last ODI innings, and Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a century in the last T20 innings, are out. Hope their morale stays up.” Rahul will be the wicketkeeper of the team. In the first ODI, Shreyas Iyer has been preferred over world number one T20 batsman Suryakumar. India last won a major tournament in 2013. (agency)