NEWS
Follow UsIndia captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he will open with Ishan Kishan in the first One-Day International (ODI) against West Indies in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 6).
Kishan is the only opening option available with Mayank Agarwal still serving a mandatory quarantine period after being added to the squad after Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad tested positive for Covid-19.
Kishan made his ODI debut during the tour of Sri Lanka. He scored a 42-ball 59 on his debut to help his side to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.
KL Rahul too will miss the first game but could be in contention for the second ODI. "Ishan Kishan is the only option we have and he will open with me," Rohit said on the eve of the series-opener.
"Mayank was added to the squad and he is still in isolation. He came (joined) late and we have some rules in place. If someone is travelling, we have to put them in (mandatory 3-day) quarantine. He has still not finished his quarantine, so Ishan will open the innings.
"Unless there's an injury as we have a training today and there is nothing of that sort," he added.
After missing out on the three-ODI series against South Africa, Rohit returns to the fold to lead the side. This will be Rohit's first ODI series as captain since Virat Kohli was sacked from the role.
Dhawan, Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer may miss ODIs
Rohit also made it clear that the COVID positive trio of Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer and Gaikwad are still in isolation and they are still not sure when they would be available.
"I have no idea," Rohit said when asked when the trio would be available.
"At the moment the three guys are in isolation. They are doing pretty well and that's a good thing. But yeah, it's so uncertain. Last-minute, you will see anyone turning positive and you have to make a change and get someone else," Rohit said.
The skipper understands that a situation like this can disturb the balance of the team.
"Look, it is a tricky one (situation). With Covid, there is so much uncertainty and if it happens, how long it takes for recovery is different as every individual is different. Sometimes, it takes 7-8 days and sometimes, it can take 14 days," he said.
Post Covid-19 world, everyone needs to be flexible about roles
In Covid times, one might have to play in a position which isn't exactly his preferred one, said the captain, who expects his players to be flexible.
"But these are times that we live and boys in the team understand that. Opportunities can come at any point and they have to be ready for it. But for the team, they have to do it and this is something that we have spoken at length and made it clear with everyone that this is the possible situation," the skipper added.
"It can happen at anytime in these situations. So anyone coming in place of anyone should try and adapt quickly and get the game going on," he made it clear.
(With inputs from PTI)