Hardik Pandya, India’s stand-in captain, has revealed the opening partnership for the next ODI against Australia. The two cricketing titans will square off in a three-match One-Day International series beginning on Friday, March 17.
Hardik Pandya stated Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan would open for the Men in Blue ahead of the first ODI. Significantly, Hardik takes the helm in the absence of usual captain Rohit Sharma, who is unavailable due to family obligations.
Gill experienced a fantastic performance against New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, scoring a double-century and a tonne. Kishan, on the other hand, had a disappointing series against the Kiwis, returning a succession of low scores. In any event, with the 2023 ODI World Cup only around the way, the pair will be eager to collect crucial runs and secure their place in the team.
With their 2-1 triumph over Australia in the recently completed Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Team India secured their place in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle’s summit showdown. Rohit Sharma and company were helped by New Zealand’s last-ball drama over Sri Lanka in their Test, which helped them advance to the red-ball ICC event conclusion.
The summit battle between India and Australia will now take place at The Oval, beginning on June 7. Likewise, Hardik Pandya has ruled himself out of the WTC Final, claiming that it would be ‘ethically incorrect’ given his little role in India’s red-ball win.
“No. I am a morally strong individual. I didn’t do 10% to get there. I am not even in the top 1%. So my going there and stealing someone’s position will morally not go well. If I want to play Test cricket, I’ll have to put in the effort. As a result, I will not be eligible for the WTC final or any future Test series until I believe I have earned my position,” Pandya said.
