'I will open with KL Rahul' - Kris Srikkanth picks Shubman Gill’s potential replacement in 2nd ODI

50-over World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth suggested how India could line up if skipper Shubman Gill misses the second ODI against England on Thursday, July 16. This match is set to be played at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Shubman played a magnificent knock in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday, as he scored 80 off 75 balls during India's pursuit of a 259-run target. However, the Punjab batter had to retire hurt after clutching the back of his right leg. The gap between the first ODI and the second is only one day. Therefore, the 26-year-old might not be available for the game in Cardiff.

Srikkanth urged the Indian team management to replace Shubman with Ishan Kishan if the Indian skipper fails to recover in time. However, the cricketer-turned-expert suggested that KL Rahul should open the batting alongside Rohit Sharma.

"Ishan Kishan is the obvious replacement for Gill. It is unfortunate that Jaiswal isn't in the squad despite scoring two centuries in his last three ODI innings. I will bring Kishan in for Gill but open with KL Rahul. Ishan Kishan should come in the middle-order. The turnaround is too quick for India to draft Jaiswal into the squad."

Srikkanth said that players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman, who are certain to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, should be rested once in a while so that others can also be tested. The former chief selector added that India has no chance of winning the World Cup without Kohli.

Shardul Thakur's huge statement on Kohli and Rohit's impact

"India should start rotating with their certainties like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma to look at everybody from the pool for the 2027 World Cup. They should narrow it down to a group of 20 or 22 and rotate between those. Kohli is a certainty despite playing only one format and can be rested occasionally. India has no chance in the 2027 World Cup without him," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).