NZ v IND 2020: 3 players who could replace Rohit Sharma in upcoming ODI series

Rohit Sharma injured his right calf during the 5th T20I and had to retire hurt.

The Indian team has won the T20I series 5-0, whitewashing the home team New Zealand in emphatic fashion. Two of the matches were tied and India won in super overs, while in the fifth and final match, India was without Virat Kohli. The hero for the Indian team proved to be KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah.

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Now the two teams will face off in a series of three ODI matches which start from 5^th February in Hamilton. However, India is facing a conundrum as Rohit Sharma had hurt his right calf while batting in the Bay Oval T20I and had to retire hurt on the score of 60, which was the highest for the Men in Blue.

It has not been cleared whether Rohit will be fit in time for the upcoming three-match ODI series. Now Team COC looks at three suitable replacements who could take Rohit Sharma’s place in the Indian team in the upcoming ODI series.

Here are the 3 players who could replace Rohit Sharma in ODI series

SURYAKUMAR YADAV

Mumbai’s Suryakumar Yadav has been in very good form in the domestic cricket and even in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians in the past few seasons. He has scores of 50,26,35,20 and 5 in the limited-overs series for India A against New Zealand A.

He has a solid record with 2447 runs in 93 List-A matches with two centuries and 15 half-centuries. He averages 35.46 at a strike rate of 99.63 with the highest score of 134*. Even in the T20s, he has 3012 runs in 149 matches at a strike rate of 139.12 with 15 half-centuries and a highest score of 94*. He has found a new groove as an opener in the limited-overs and given by his record, he can be a good bet against New Zealand if Rohit Sharma fails to get fit.

MAYANK AGARWAL

Mayank Agarwal has cemented his place as an opener for the Indian team and if Rohit Sharma doesn’t get fit from his calf injury; the selectors can look at Agarwal for the upcoming ODI series which begins on February 5.

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He has a terrific record in List-A and T20 matches for Karnataka and India A. In 84 50-over games, Agarwal has 3999 runs with 13 centuries and 15 fifties with an average of 49.37 and strike rate of 100.93. This is tremendous given that he bats right at the top against quality fast bowlers. Agarwal might compliment KL Rahul better at the top given that both play for Karnataka in the Indian domestic scene and know each other for quite a long time.

Also, his aggression might help counter the Kiwi fast bowlers who might want to put pressure thanks to the swing and movement the conditions provide.

SHUBMAN GILL

Shubman Gill is perhaps one of the most promising talents in India right now. He has made his debut in ODIs for India a year ago against the same opposition but failed to make a mark. The 20-year-old recently made a double ton against New Zealand A team in the first unofficial Test match.

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Gill, who hails from Punjab has 2280 runs from 57 List-A games with 6 tons and the highest score of 143. He possesses a solid technique that may help him negotiate the New Zealand fast bowlers. He has shown that he can play effortlessly against pace and spin both and can aggressively bat when needed to.

He seems to be the much better option to replace Rohit Sharma if the Mumbai opener fails to recover from his calf injury.