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Yashasvi Jaiswal Or Shreyas Iyer; Who Will Play In 2nd ODI If Virat Kohli Gets Fit

Anurag Dasgupta

Who will Virat Kohli replace in 2nd ODI [Source: AP Photo] Who will Virat Kohli replace in 2nd ODI [Source: AP Photo]

The first ODI between India and England is done and dusted and despite the failure of skipper, Rohit Sharma, the young guns showed their class and gave a comfortable 4-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. India needed 249 runs to win the Nagpur ODI, however, they lost both the openers, Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply.

But, Shreyas Iyer, counter punched the England bowlers and alongside Shubman Gill made sure that India came out on top. Both the batters scored vital fifties and the England bowlers, despite a brilliant start had no answer to the Indian onslaught. Interestingly, there was no Virat Kohli in the playing XI to anchor the chase for his team.

The star batter suffered from a knee injury and missed the first ODI, however, as per reports, he is set to be back for the Cuttack game. But with Kohli back, the right decision should be to drop Jaiswal, and play Kohli at 3, with Iyer at number 4, and here's why.

Iyer shines on India comeback

To put into context, if Virat Kohli wouldn't have got injured, Iyer wouldn't have been included in the playing XI. Despite being one of India's best performer in the 2023 World Cup, Iyer didn't get a central contract and was not supposed to play the first ODI.

However, luck was with him and despite India losing two quick wickets, Iyer played a counter attacking knock which pushed England on the back-foot. He was instrumental after the loss of early wickets as England were all over the Indian batters and someone had to play an attacking knock, something which Iyer did. He is arguably India's best bet at number 4 and has time and again shown his class at the international level.

Jaiswal struggled on his ODI debut

A free flowing batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal had an average outing with the bat in hand. He was exceptional on the field, but when it came to the batting part, Jofra Archer had his numbers.

The left-handed batter looked tentative, and struggled against the express pace of the English bowler. Archer consistently bowled at the channel just outside the off and he was rewarded as the southpaw edged one to the keeper. India see Jaiswal as the future, and rightly so, but he looked shaky on a relatively flat wicket.

Final Verdict

The top 6 of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya is one of the best batting lineups India has ever produced. Unless an injury occurs, there is no reason to tweak the batting lineup.

Iyer scored 530 runs in 11 matches in the World Cup 2023 and was instrumental in taking India to the finals. His number 4 spot shouldn't come into question. As for Jaiswal, his time will come, and once the Champions Trophy gets over, India will witness a transition phase where the youngster will get more games. But, for now, Iyer should play at 4, with Kohli back at 3, and Gill at the top.