‘X factor is dropped, mediocrity is retained’ – Former India speedster not happy with Ishan Kishan being dropped from ODIs against Sri Lanka

The removal of Ishan Kishan from India’s starting lineup for the first ODI against Sri Lanka has drawn criticism from former speedster Venkatesh Prasad, who stated that “there is no way you drop a player for scoring a double hundred”.

India skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that he will open alongside Shubman Gill rather than Kishan for the first One-Day International against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Kishan had a double hundred in his previous ODI game which was against Bangladesh.

“Think fair would have been to give chance to a man who scored a double hundred in India’s last ODI, and in a series where India lost two games and the series. Have all the time in the world for Gill, but no way you drop a player for scoring a double ton,” Prasad said in a series of tweets.

The 53-year-old played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for Men in Blue. He feels that mediocrity is being preferred over “x-factor” in the current setup.

In England, Pant scored a hundred in the final ODI and helped India win the series: Venkatesh Prasad

“There is a reason we have underperformed in Limited overs cricket. Constant chopping changing and a guy who does brilliantly and is an X factor is dropped and mediocrity retained,” the pacer stated.

“In England, Pant scored a hundred in the final ODI and helped India win the series. However, based on the T20 form was dropped from the ODI team. KL Rahul on the other hand barring a couple of innings has failed consistently but retains his place. Performance is not the foremost parameter. Sad,” the seamer added.

In the starting eleven, Rahul will function as the regular wicketkeeper. Suryakumar Yadav, the top T20 hitter in the world, also missed out on the opening ODI in favour of Shreyas Iyer.

India squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka:-

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik