India vs England: Virat Kohli confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will continue to be India's first-choice opening batsmen in the 50-over format.
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting for India in ODIs.
India vs England, 1st ODI: Suryakumar Yadav Won't Get Into Playing XI Ahead Of Shreyas Iyer, Says VVS Laxman
India captain Virat Kohli said on the eve of the three-match ODI series against England in Pune that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will remain India's first-choice openers in the 50-over format. Kohli also said that his move to open with Rohit Sharma in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday did not necessarily mean that he would open for India regularly across formats. "As far as the opening combination is concerned, Shikhar (Dhawan) and Rohit (Sharma) will definitely start. They have been amazing for us in the past few years," Kohli said at the pre-series virtual press conference.
On opening the batting with Rohit and whether that will be seen more in the future, Kohli said: "It's not a guarantee that this is going to be considered in the future.
"To open up a slot for Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), who is playing the way he is, I can do anything to do that," Kohli said, indicating that he moved to the top of the order to help Suryakumar Yadav, who made his debut in the recently concluded T20I series, bat higher up in the order.
Kohli had recently spoken out against the controversial 'Umpire's Call' in the Decision Review System (DRS) and asked why there can't be an "I don't know" call if the on-field umpire isn't in a position to make a definitive call.
The Indian skipper reaffirmed his reservations against 'Umpire's Call' and said there must not be any grey areas in the game that could likely affect results in a big tournament.
"I've played for a long time when there was no DRS. When the umpire gave it out, it stayed out," said Kohli.
"When you get bowled as a batsman, you don't consider if more than half of the ball is hitting the stumps. Umpire's Call is creating more confusion.
"You don't want some grey areas and factors in the game, which could define big games and tournaments."
India vs England: VVS Laxman said Shreyas Iyer has performed consistently for India in the middle order and Iyer should get the nod ahead of an in-form Suryakumar Yadav for the first ODI.
Ahead of the first ODI against England, former India batsman VVS Laxman said that in-form Suryakumar Yadav may not find a place in the playing XI for the opening 50-over game on Tuesday as there are others who have performed exceedingly well in the format in recent times. Suryakumar made his debut in the recently concluded T20I series against England which India won 3-2 after beating the visitors by eight runs in the fifth T20I. The right-handed batsman played three games and hit 57 and 32 in the fourth and fifth matches respectively. In the second T20I, Suryakumar did not get a chance to bat.
Speaking on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected' Laxman said, "I actually don't know whether he will get to play in the playing XI and that's the depth in this Indian team.
"Whether you take Test, one-day or T20I cricket, Suryakumar Yadav doesn't get into the playing XI just because there are others who have performed exceedingly well in international cricket.
"Yes, he's in form, but I would definitely go with players who have shown that consistency in international cricket. So, for me, he won't get into the playing XI in the first ODI."
When asked to pick between Suryakumar and Shreyas Iyer, the former batsman said he will go with the latter for the number six role as he has scored runs consistently in the past.
"I think it is very difficult to just choose one among both, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, because what really interests me was the way Shreyas Iyer batted at No. 6," Laxman said.
"He batted with authority, conviction and just understood the situation and played his shots right from the word go.
"Because we know that he is ideally suited for No. 4. He has done so well in both one-dayers and T20Is in that position, but for the first time I have seen him bat at No. 6, and he didn't disappoint anyone.
"Suryakumar Yadav is also someone who has got the talent, but with experience, I feel Shreyas Iyer will be my pick ahead of Suryakumar Yadav. Because we just can't rely on one or two innings and we cannot really discount Shreyas Iyer's performances in international cricket.
"Yes, Suryakumar Yadav has done really well for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but Shreyas Iyer has been very consistent in whatever opportunities he got at the highest level. So, I will always choose Shreyas Iyer to do that role," he added.
The three-match ODI series between India and England will commence at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Tuesday.
