Why Shubman Gill is Not Opening Today in IND vs AFG 2nd ODI?

The second ODI of the series between India and Afghanistan is underway at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, where Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to field first. The visitors trail 1-0 in the three-match contest after India secured a comfortable win in the opening ODI at Dharamsala.

The hosts have also made additional changes, including the return of Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal and handing the debut to Prince Yadav as the team management continues to evaluate different combinations and squad depth.

Afghanistan have also made three changes with the group that featured in the series opener and will be hoping their experienced campaigners, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, can produce a stronger performance after the disappointing result in the first ODI.

Why Shubman Gill is Not Opening Today in IND vs AFG 2nd ODI?

Ahead of this game, India have made a notable adjustment at the top of the order, with Yashasvi Jaiswal returning to the playing XI and slotting straight into the opening position. To create room for the left-hander, the Indian skipper and one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, Shubman Gill, has shifted down to bat at No. 3 despite leading the side and scoring a match-winning half-century in the previous encounter.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been incredibly successful at the top of the order, and it will be interesting to see how things turn out for Yashasvi and Rohit Sharma in the opening slot.