Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Out or Not Out’, JioStar experts Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhishek Nayar discussed the selection of two separate ODI squads for the New Zealand series, who between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is likely to score more centuries across five matches, and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Out or Not Out’, JioStar expert Abhishek Nayar discussed Team India having different ODI squads in the context of the short turnaround before the two-Test series against New Zealand:
“New Zealand came to India, they beat us in the Test series, and that hurt me a little, as it did the rest of our fans too. So, it’s a big series,” Nayar said. “There should be a balance in life. World Cup is important, but there is some time for that. This Test series, for me, is a decisive one for Gautam Gambhir and Indian fans.”
“So, I would have liked players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, who are playing both formats, to focus only on Test cricket. Because now you have to prepare for the ODIs and, after that, the Tests. So, I would rather have given them one or two months to go and practise with the red ball. Just like they beat us here in India, we should beat them there.”
On Yashasvi Jaiswal not being picked in the ODI squad, he said, “I know that the communication must have taken place with Yashasvi that, ‘Look, we are not picking you because Rohit Sharma is anyway going to open with Shubman Gill.”
“So, rather than sitting out, you prepare for New Zealand and play the Ranji Trophy, because that gives you a better chance of coming good in the Test series and helping Team India win.'”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Out or Not Out’, JioStar expert Cheteshwar Pujara assessed who between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is more likely to score more centuries during the series. “The way Rohit bats, he has a role of providing good starts in the powerplay. In New Zealand, maybe that role changes, so he could go for a century. But for Virat, the chances are slightly higher because he bats at number three,” Pujara said.
“His game is more about playing the anchor role. So, for a batsman coming in at number three, scoring a century in the ODI format becomes a bit easier. The opener’s role is also defined, but in New Zealand conditions, that changes a bit. So, I feel Virat has more chances of scoring a hundred in New Zealand than Rohit.”
On his prediction for the ODI series, he said, “Two-all. In the first three matches, one team is playing, and then, in the last two matches, another Indian team is going to play,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
“So, I think New Zealand have a slight advantage because you aren’t playing the same team in all five matches. I’m still backing the Indian team in the first three matches, as I feel they will do well. The last two matches could be a bit of a challenge, but it will be a hard-fought series. And it rains in New Zealand, so probably one match will be a washout.”
