India are playing a must-win game against New Zealand in Dubai with Rohit Sharma being pushed back to bat in the middle-order. Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl first. Virat Kohli mentioned at the toss that Ishan Kishan who has been brought into the side in place of Suryakumar Yadav has been will open the batting. He is batting with KL Rahul at the top of the order.
Rohit Sharma being pushed back at number four lengthens India’s batting line-up in a game that they desperately needs runs batting first. India have made two changes in the playing XI with Kishan and Shardul Thakur being drafted into the XI in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suryakumar Yadav.
Twitter reacted quick and fast to Rohit Sharma’s demotion in the batting order. Here’s what they had to say.
Rohit Sharma To Bat At Number Four For India vs NZ
Rohit not opening – part of strategy or Boult factor ?#INDvsNZ
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) October 31, 2021
So Rohit Sharma isn't opening for India today but Ishan Kishan along with KL Rahul. Did your question with Virat Kohli actually work @SyedHaider512? 😅
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) October 31, 2021
Surprised to see KL Rahul walk out with Ishan Kishan. I expected Rohit Sharma to open! So where will Rohit bat tonight? #INDvsNZ #IndiaVsNewZealand #T20WorldCup
— Hari Kishore Malladi (@journomalladi) October 31, 2021
Very interesting to see KL Rahul-Ishan Ishan combo at the start. Rahul has batted in the middle order in ODIs, more recently than Rohit Sharma has done. Would have loved to be a fly in the wall when Rohit was being convinced. #INDvNZ #T20WorldCup
— S. Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) October 31, 2021
Rahul and Kishan opening. Rohit Sharma at No.4 then. Not a bad move. Shields Rohit against Boult and quite positive from India to go with two explosive batters at the top.#INDvNZ
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) October 31, 2021
India's new opening combination… jaankar baniye, satark rahiye. #INDvNZ
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) October 31, 2021
Didn't see this coming. Where will Rohit bat? #INDvsNZ
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) October 31, 2021
Why tinker with opening??? Rohit and Rahul both are class players and throwing Ishan to the wolves too. 🤔🤔 #loudmusings #IndiaVsNewZealand
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) October 31, 2021
Rohit Sharma not opening is some surprise…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 31, 2021
Kohli and Rohit in the middle 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 31, 2021
“We would have bowled first as well. We need a solid start and have wickets in hand to get those extra 20-25 runs are the learnings from the last game. We do have the bowling line-up to take wickets, but when you don’t have runs on the board one partnership can take the game away from you. We understand that and plans are there to get those extra runs.” said Kohli at the toss.
“It’s ridiculous, we are playing twice in 10 days. Too long a break, but yeah, the guys have recovered well. Had good practice sessions, are itching to go out on the field, which is a good thing. When you have so many days off you want to get on the park and get into the groove. It’s another opportunity to come out and correct the mistakes. Two changes. One forced, Surya has a lower back spasm, so Ishan Kishan will replace him and open the batting. Shardul Thakur replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar“ he further added.
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