'Uncomfortable with watching India...': Kaif lambasts Rohit, Dravid for dropping Kishan, Suryakumar in 1st ODI vs SL
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has slammed skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid for dropping in-form batters Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the series opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned India's tactics for the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka after star batters Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav were dropped from the starting eleven on Tuesday. Despite scoring a sensational double-century in India's previous assignment, wicketkeeper-batter Kishan was overlooked by the Indian think tank for the ODI series opener against Sri Lanka.
Fresh from guiding India to a T20I series win over Sri Lanka, middle-order batter Suryakumar was also not named in the Indian playing XI for the 1st ODI against the Dasun Shanaka-led side at Guwahati. Taking cognisance of India's playing XI for the series opener against Sri Lanka, former Indian cricketer Kaif has extended his support to in-form batters Kishan and Suryakumar.
Sharing his views on the microblogging site, Kaif slammed skipper Rohit and head coach Dravid after Kishan and Suryakumar failed to feature in the playing XI for the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka. "Slightly uncomfortable with the prospect of watching an Indian team today without last ODI's double hundred scorer, Ishan Kishan, and last T20's centurion Suryakumar Yadav. Hope they remain motivated. #INDvSL," Kaif said in his tweet.
Talking about the match between India and Sri Lanka, the hosts managed to post a challenging total in the series opener at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Giving India an impressive start in the 50-over contest, skipper Rohit (83) and opener Shubman Gill (70) slammed half-centuries to laid the foundation for a massive total. Top-scoring for India in the high-scoring contest, former Indian skipper Kohli notched up his 45th ODI ton as Rohit and Co. posted 373-7 in 50 overs.
Earlier, Indian skipper Rohit had revealed that Kishan will have to wait for his chance in the ODI series against the former world champions. "Gill has got a lot of runs in the last few games, so has Ishan. I am not going to take anything away from him (Ishan). He's been wonderful for us, got a double hundred. And, I know what it takes to get a double hundred, it is a great achievement," Rohit had said on the eve of the 1st ODI.
