The three-match ODI series against England officially marks the start of the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shubman Gill and his team are set to play fifty-over games in the next few months as they prepare for the massive tournament. Indian selectors have set their eyes on senior players in a bid to gauge their form and fitness.
As per reports carried by the Times of India, veteran duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be keenly watched over the next few days. The newspaper stated that BCCI is keen to rotate the duo along with KL Rahul and give some other players a few chances to play well.
It was reported that the selectors were keen on resting Rohit for the Chennai ODI against Afghanistan. The 39-year-old batter, though, scored 79 runs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring his second ODI ton. The left-handed batter was dropped for the current England tour.
Mumbai Indians’ player has been singled out once again as the selectors want him to fire in the series. There is a belief that the batter has to score runs in the early part of the series rather than in the final match. As per the same reports, Yashasvi “remains firmly in place” for a spot in the ODI side.
Can the veteran duo fire with the bat?
If we speak about stats, Rohit has scored 447 runs at Edgbaston and has an average of 89.4. He has also hit three centuries in his last three outings in Birmingham, one of which was against England during the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Kohli, on the other hand, looked a bit rusty during the nets and was even bowled while attempting to play a reverse sweep. Videos circulating on social media showed Gautam Gambhir watching the proceedings in tandem with Ryan ten Doeschate, who was seen having a word with the Indian coach.
Speaking about the game, England won the toss and batted first. The host nation was dismissed for 258 in 47.5 overs, Axar Patel taking four wickets. Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna picked up two scalps each while Jasprit Bumrah claimed one wicket.
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