Follow UsMiddle order batter Shreyas Iyer shocked quite a few people after India’s win in the first ODI when he told the broadcasters that he wouldn’t have played the first ODI in Nagpur had Virat Kohli been fit.
In what came as a surprise, Virat Kohli was not named in the playing11 against England in the first One-Day International (ODI) in Nagpur because of swelling in his knee on the eve of the game.
In Kohli's absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal was handed his ODI debut, and he opened the innings for India along with skipper Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill was sent at number three in Virat’s absence, and Iyer batted at his usual position at number four where he has stellar numbers in the format.
“So funny story. I was watching a movie last night, I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from skipper saying that you may play because Virat has got a swollen knee. And then [I] hurried back to my room,” Iyer told the broadcasters when asked about the sequence of events which led to him playing the Nagpur ODI.
Iyer also tried to quash any rumours about him being unhappy about being left out initially, and just focused on enjoying the victory.
"You know what you want me to say, but I'm going to keep it low-key and cherish this moment, the victory today," Iyer said with a smile.
It became evident from India’s strategy in the first ODI that the team is looking to try out their bench in what is a proper dress rehearsal for the upcoming Champions Trophy that’s beginning February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
That’s why the batting order was jumbled to ensure Jaiswal made his debut, and also Arshdeep Singh was rested so that Harshit Rana can be tested in the 50-over format. While Jaiswal could score only 15, Rana picked 3/53 in seven overs.
Gill has already informed that Kohli would be fit for the second ODI in Cuttack that will be played on Sunday, February 9. It would be interesting to see who moves out of the batting order to accommodate the Indian veteran who is just 94 runs short of becoming just the third man with 14,000 runs in the ODI format.