Indian captain Virat Kohli has confirmed debutant Prithvi Shaw will be in the playing the XI in the first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, February 5. The captain also mentioned that Mayank Agarwal, who replaced injured Rohit Sharma in the team, will open the innings alongside Shaw.
Shaw found himself in the team after regular opener Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out the series after injuring his shoulder during the home series against Australia. Following that, the team were dealt with another blow after vice-captain Rohit Sharma followed his fellow opener on the sidelines.
Speaking ahead of the game, Kohli confirmed that Shaw is going to be in the starting XI, and Mayank Agarwal will partner him as an opener. KL Rahul, on his part, will be slotted in the middle-order as the team wants him to get accustomed to the role.
"Prithvi's in the team and will definitely start and whoever the replacement is [Agarwal] - we've asked for an opener. KL will play in the middle-order, we want him to get used to that role at No. 5 and keep as well," Kohli said in a press conference.
About the vice-captain, Kohli said that although his services will be missed, it is good that the team does not have more ODIs in the coming month.
“It is unfortunate that Rohit cannot be part of the ODI series, the impact he has had is there for everyone to see. We do not have any ODI tournaments to look up to, so it is ideal for him to recover.
India, after a clean sweep over host New Zealand in the T20I series, play three-match ODI series against the Kiwis before donning the whites for a two-match series.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jewel Samad
