Gill opts to field as Auqib Nabi earns India ODI debut in Guwahati
Gill opts to field as Auqib Nabi earns India ODI debut in Guwahati
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first against the West Indies in the second One Day International at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, handing a maiden ODI cap to Auqib Nabi.
The solitary change to India's lineup sees Nabi come in for Nitish Kumar Reddy as the hosts look to press home their advantage in the series. Gill said the surface had “a bit more grass” and looked “a little bit patchy”, hinting there could be early assistance for the seamers.
“There is a bit more grass on the wicket, it looks a little bit patchy as well. There might be a little bit more for the fast bowlers initially,” Gill said at the toss.
Reflecting on the first ODI, Gill admitted India had been put “under pressure in the first 20-25 overs” but was pleased with the way his side fought back. He also pinpointed fielding as an area to tighten.
“We were under pressure in the first 20-25 overs but the way we fought back was good. The intensity in the field in the middle overs is crucial — that's an area we can improve,” Gill said.
West Indies captain Shai Hope said he would have fielded too had he called correctly. The visitors ring in four changes for the contest. Hope felt the Guwahati surface “looks pretty good” but expected it to “do a little bit to start” before settling down.
“I definitely would have fielded as well. It looks pretty good, but it might do a little bit to start before it settles down,” Hope said.
On the opening ODI, Hope felt his side had fallen short with the bat despite being on course for a sizeable total. “We were probably a bit more than 20 runs short — we were on course for 320. It's about going out there, putting your best foot forward and finding the right solutions to win games,” he said.
Line-ups
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
West Indies (Playing XI): John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (w/c), Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Vitel Lawes.