The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka is being played in Colombo and in this match, the team captain Rohit Sharma took a decision that surprised everyone. Actually, Rohit Sharma did not give Rishabh Pant a place in the playing eleven. In his place, KL Rahul was given a chance as a wicketkeeper. It was believed that Pant would return to the ODI team because he is a left-handed batsman and he is also a specialist wicketkeeper but the team management went with KL Rahul.

What is the reason for leaving Pant out?

There is no specific reason for excluding Rishabh Pant, but it is possible that this decision was taken because there are too many left-handed batsmen in the middle order.

Actually, the Indian middle order includes players like Shivam Dubey, Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar, all of whom are left-handed batsmen. In such a situation, if Pant was also in the middle order, the balance of Team India could have been disturbed.

Why was KL Rahul given a chance?

KL Rahul has not played for Team India since IPL. He did not get a place in the T20 World Cup team and now it was considered certain to give this player a chance in the ODI format.

KL Rahul has a good record in the ODI format and his record at number 5 is amazing. Also, his wicketkeeping is also good which he has already proved. This is the reason why Gambhir and Rohit bet on Rahul. By the way, Shivam Dubey got a chance in Team India's playing eleven for the first time after 2019 and Shreyas Iyer was also seen in the blue jersey after almost 9 months.

India's playing XI- Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shivam Dubey, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj.

KL Rahul has a good record in the ODI format and his record at number 5 is amazing. Also, his wicketkeeping is also good which he has already proved. This is the reason why Gambhir and Rohit bet on Rahul. By the way, Shivam Dubey got a chance in Team India's playing eleven for the first time after 2019 and Shreyas Iyer was also seen in the blue jersey after almost 9 months.

India's playing XI- Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shivam Dubey, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj.