India have wrapped up the ODI series against West Indies with two convincing wins in the first two matches. The hosts thrashed the Caribbeans by 44 runs on Wednesday to wrap up the series with one match to go.
Meanwhile, India rang a surprise sending Rishabh Pant up in the batting order alongside white-ball captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit asserted that it was not a permanent solution, they wanted to try something out of the box.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar wasn’t too amused either as he feels KL Rahul belongs to the top while Rishabh Pant should be given the finisher’s role.
“To be honest with you, I was surprised to see Rishabh Pant up the order because I have always felt that he is probably better off at 6 or 7, depending on how the team has gone. He should be the finisher. My feeling is that Rahul will partner Rohit as the opener, and Surya would probably bat at No. 4,” Gavaskar said mid-innings of the 2nd ODI.
Sunil Gavaskar also said India are missing the services of Ravindra Jadeja, who was scoring handy runs lower down the order alongside contributing with the ball.
“Then maybe at 5, you will have somebody like a Rishabh Pant and then a Washington Sundar. Don’t forget, India are feeling the absence of Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, 8. He was scoring so many runs and hitting the big shots. Brilliant fielder and picking up wickets in the middle order. He is being missed greatly by this Indian team,” he added.
