‘It will just create a headache for the future and nothing else’ – Manoj Tiwary questions India’s playing XI selection for 2nd ODI vs Afghanistan

Manoj Tiwary claimed that there is a lack of clarity within the Indian team management, particularly questioning the decision to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside Rohit Sharma in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.

With Nitish Kumar Reddy being ruled out of the clash with a sore left thigh, Yashasvi was brought into the side. He moved up to the top of the order, with captain Shubman Gill slotting in at No. 3.

Manoj Tiwary opined that if Shubman scores runs while batting at No. 3, it will be a headache for the team management, as they would be wondering whether to move the right-handed batter back to the top of the order or not. The former India cricketer also mentioned that if Yashasvi does well and Rohit fails, it will put pressure on the latter in the matches to come.

“It will just create a headache for the future and nothing else, if they open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma and demote Shubman Gill. Now, if he scores runs there, he will be thinking, should I go back to the top or not?” Tiwary said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

“So, I have no idea what they are trying to do at all. I see a massive lack of clarity here, but it feels good to see Jaiswal play, because he deserves to play all formats. If Rohit Sharma somehow doesn’t fire today, then there will be a lot of mental pressure from the outside,” Tiwary added.

While Yashasvi didn’t have a great outing, getting dismissed for just four, Rohit contributed nicely with a quickfire 48 off 39 balls. However, Shubman proved to be the star of the show for India. The 26-year-old slammed 154 off 110 balls, hitting 22 fours and two sixes. Ishan Kishan deserves a special mention too for his 79-ball 125, a knock comprising 14 fours and seven sixes.