Prithvi set for ODI launch Mumbai batsman expected to open one- day account against New Zealand at Hamilton today India skipper Virat Kohli with coach Ravi Shastri at Hamilton yesterday FIRST ODI PREVIEW Vimal Kumar sports@ mid- day. com HAMILTON: India have been forced to open with a brand new pair of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal ( who hadnu2019t reached Hamilton by the time the practice session got underway on Tuesday) even though they have an option in KL Rahul. u201c Prithvi is in the team and will definitely start with whoever the replacement is [ Agarwal], weu2019ve 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 [ wickets] as well,u201d said Kohli, ruling out the possibility of sending Rahul up the order as he will be tired after u2018 keeping for 50 overs if India have to chase.
Shaw has happy memories of New Zealand, having led India to an U- 19 World Cup triumph in 2018 when his side beat Australia at Mount Maunganui on February 3.
Last month, he hit a hundred for India u2018 Au2019 in a practice game against New Zealand XI at Lincoln.
Kohli was seen applauding Shawu2019s strokeplay a couple of times and also acknowledged Shardul Thakuru2019s line and length when he bowled to him during the practice session.
Contrary to head coach Ravi Shastriu2019s theory that this series could be used as the preparation for the T20 World Cup, the captain ruled out any such experiments. u201c You have to respect the format and play according to the pace of the 50- over game. Weu2019re not looking at preparing for the T20 World Cup through this series. IPL will be the right platform [ for that],u201d said Kohli.
While India have already played against West Indies ( twice) and Australia ( once) post the World Cup semi- final defeat against New Zealand, the hosts will be playing their first ODI after losing the cup in the most bizarre fashion.
However, since then, the Kiwis have struggled in Tests and T20 formats; the latest being an embarrassing 0- 5 loss earlier this week. Wicketkeeper- batsman Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is out of action for the first two ODIs.
Hardly a dozen people watched Team Indiau2019s training session on Tuesday afternoon here even though the practice area is adjacent to a busy road where access is not a problem.
Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Rahul opted to rest and were not part of the optional practice session.
Live on tv NZ v India, 1st ODI: Star Sports 1, 07: 30 Prithvi Shaw of India u2018 Au2019 during his 55 in the 3rd one- dayer v NZ u2018 Au2019 at Christchurch last month. PIC/ Gett y Imag es