Shubman Gill justified his selection in the playing XI of the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Assam.
However, fans and former cricketers reacted angrily when Rohit announced that double-centurion Ishan Kishan would not be included in the side as Gill has done well in the past.
The management decided to give more chances to Shubman, considering his performance in the past. He scored 70 runs off 60 balls, slamming 11 fours to give the Indian national cricket team a flying start.
Gill and captain Rohit Sharma added 143 runs for the opening wicket.
Gill has the most runs for India after 16 ODI innings. He surpassed the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Navjot Singh Sidhu, and Virat Kohli.
Most runs for India after 16 ODI innings
Gill – 751*
Iyer – 748
Sidhu – 725
Kohli – 655
The ongoing series is important for the hosts, considering the 2023 ODI World Cup. India had lost the last series in Bangladesh.