“Expose Harshit Rana, not shield him” - Former India A captain wants a major change in India’s playing XI for 2nd ODI

Former India A captain Priyank Panchal has opened up on India’s defeat in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19. Taking to his official X handle, he made an interesting point for the Indian team management. 

Panchal asserted that if Harshit Rana is seen as someone who can hit the ball a long distance, batting at No.8, the Indian team management shouldn’t select an extra batter. Moreover, he added that India should include Kuldeep Yadav for either Washington Sundar or Nitish Kumar Reddy.

“If Harshit Rana is being seen as someone who can tonk the ball at No. 8, then we should expose him to that role in the next two years and not shield him by including an additional batter. Kuldeep should come in for Nitish or Washi, as in Jassi's absence he's the go-to wicket taker #AUSvIND," Panchal tweeted.

https://x.com/PKpanchal09/status/1979810102741000427 

On the other hand, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, who attended the post-match press conference, has backed the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli to come out well in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23. Notably, Kohli bagged a duck in the first ODI in Perth.

"He's (Virat) played more than 300 one-dayers for India. So form is just a word for him. He knows how to get going. And it's like a blessing to be in the same dressing room with him. And going forward, I feel there'll be a lot of runs for him in this series as well. And talking about the format he's playing, he's mastered this one. So I don't know how he feels about it (his dismissal)," Arshdeep told reporters.

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