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Former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth hailed Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav for their effective performance in the series opener against West Indies but questioned the inclusion of Naman Dhir in the playing eleven for the India vs West Indies 1st ODI match on Sunday, September 27.
India cruised past the challenging target of 296 with eight wickets in hand. In the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, matches like this will boost the team's morale, but there are some unanswered questions that the team management will have to address as the showcase event approaches next year.
Naman Dhir made his India debut against West Indies
As multiple first-choice players are currently chasing gold in the men's cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the selectors had to look for replacements to fill the voids for the home West Indies series.
The inclusion of Naman Dhir was one of the interesting choices made by the selectors. Dhir, mostly known for his batting skills, was introduced in Sunday's match as an all-rounder. However, Dhir could not do much with the ball, going wicketless in his 5-over spell, conceding 33 runs.
You can't play Naman Dhir: Kris Srikkanth
The centuries from the skipper Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli comfortably took Team India to the finish line inside the 42nd over. As India needed only four batters- Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ruturaj Gaikwad- in the middle to chase down the target, Naman Dhir got no chance to come out with the bat. If Dhir had to bat in the match, then what would be his batting position?
"You can't play Naman Dhir and all. Naman Dhir hasn't done so deadly in domestic cricket to be playing. You can't give the India cap to everyone. Even if he batted, it would be at No. 7. So what's the use of him coming in at No. 7? He's a brilliant player and can bowl two to three overs. But you can't play him as an all-rounder. Anyway, with this strong Indian batting lineup, you don't need a batter at No.8. The No.8 won't even get an opportunity," Kris Srikkanth said on his official YouTube channel 'Cheeky Cheeka'.
Kris Srikkanth was impressed with Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav
Srikkanth, however, was very impressed with Gill, who registered his tenth ODI hundred last night at the Greenfield Stadium. The former cricketer said that watching Shubman Gill bat in full flow was a treat for the eyes.
"He looks like he'll never get out when he's batting. Gill has mastered ODI cricket. His consistency has been amazing. The effortless ease with which he bats is something fantastic," he added.
West Indies batters, especially their openers Justin Greaves, who scored a hundred in his first ODI outing in India, and John Campbell, were looking unstoppable in the first ten overs of the second innings. In search of a wicket, captain Shubman Gill introduced the axe spinner Kuldeep Yadav when the ball turned a bit rough. The plan worked as Yadav took 4 wickets for 40 runs only.
"His loop and speed through the air were brilliant. It was a good choice to give him Player of the Match. It's also good that they are playing him. With wrist spinners, the more they play, the better for them," Kris Srikkanth expressed in the same video.
