Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan will be back in India’s XI for the first ODI against New Zealand, which will take place on Wednesday, January 18 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that the left-hander will bat in the middle order during the series.
Ishan Kishan slammed a double-century recently in an ODI match against Bangladesh. However, he couldn’t find a place in the Indian XI for the series against Sri Lanka. Shubman Gill was chosen ahead of the wicket-keeper batter for the series. Heading into the New Zealand ODIs, skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed Ishan Kishan’s comeback into the team.
“Ishan will be batting middle-order, I’m glad that he can get a run here after a fine knock against Bangladesh,” said Rohit Sharma at the pre-match press conference.
Team India batter Shreyas Iyer will miss the ODI series due to a back injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India shared the update through social media. Rajat Patidar has been called in as Shreyas Iyer’s replacement for the series.
Great opposition, great challenge: Rohit Sharma on the ODI series against New Zealand
Skipper Rohit Sharma wants his team to keep improving going into the ODI series against New Zealand. He expressed that it will be a great challenge to play against the Kiwis, as they are a good team. The right-handed batter pointed out that the visitors are coming on the back of a series win against Pakistan. He said,
“Going into the series it’s pretty simple for us, we just want to keep improving as a team. Great opposition, great challenge, we can challenge ourselves to come out and achieve what we want to as a team. New Zealand is a very good team, they’re coming off a great series victory against Pakistan, so obviously they are playing some good cricket.”
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