After the enthralling end to the Test series, India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the three-match ODI series. The first game of the series will be played on 17th March in Mumbai followed by the second and third games to be played on 19th and 22nd March respectively.
Here is the reason why Rohit Sharma will miss the first ODI against Australia
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be missing the first ODI against Australia. In his absence Hardik Pandya will be captain of the team for the first game and the opening batter will be back for the final two games of the series.
When BCCI named the squad for the series, they cited that Rohit will be unavailable for the first game and Hardik will take the charge. There were many speculations about why the senior batter will miss the first game and the reason for this has finally been revealed.
Rohit Sharma will be attending his brother-in-law's marriage, that's why he's unavailable for the 1st ODI against Australia.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 15, 2023
It is learned that the brother-in-law of Rohit Sharma is getting married and the date of that is clashing with the first ODI therefore it is the reason behind his missing the first game of the series.
In Rohit’s absence, it is likely that Ishan Kishan will open the batting alongside Shubman Gill. The duo has been in terrific form in white-ball cricket as they recently smashed double tons in the ODIs.
Here’s India’s squad for the first ODI against Australia:
Hardik Pandya (C) Yuzvendra Chahal, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (injured), Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav.
Probable Indian Playing XI for the first ODI against Australia
With the young duo of Gill and Kishan opening, there’s no brainer that Virat Kohli will bat at No.3. Shreyas Iyer has reportedly been ruled out of the series due to injury and therefore it’ll be an opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav to bat in the middle.
KL Rahul is expected to keep the wickets whereas Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur are likely to be three all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to get a nod ahead of other spinners whereas Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be frontline pacers in the side.
Ishan Kishan
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
KL Rahul (WK)
Hardik Pandya (C)
Ravindra Jadeja
Shardul Thakur
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammad Shami
Mohammed Siraj
