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After India were hit by COVID-19, they were left searching for an opener. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) added Mayank Agarwal to the squad as a backup opener. Later, Ishan Kishan was also added to the squad. And now it has been confirmed that Kishan will partner with Rohit Sharma at the top in the first ODI against West Indies.
India's captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed in the pre-match conference that Kishan will be the second opener for the Men in Blue in the first ODI. With Kishan opening alongside Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal may be accommodated in the middle order. Virat Kohli will bat at his usual batting position i.e. No. 3. Suraya Kumar Yadav will come in at No. 4 while Pant will come at No.5. And if recent reports are to be believed, Deepak Hooda may get a chance to bat at No.6.
What bowling combination will India play?
Since the game will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India may be inclined towards including two spinners in their lineup. To give batting depth, Rohit Sharma will go with Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar while the third pacer can be Mohammad Siraj. The two spinners can be Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. This looks like the only good combination keeping all aspects in mind.
However, nothing can be said for sure as this is the first time Rohit Sharma will be taking the field as a full-time white-ball captain. All eyes will be on Rohit and his decisions in the field and deciding the playing XI remains the biggest talk. Sharma has led the team in ODIs before and has a good win percentage. Rohit has led India in 10 ODIs so far and has won 8 of them. But this time it would be different for him with the 2023 World Cup in mind.