Mohammad Kaif has picked his enjoying XI for the India National Cricket Workforce for the three-match ODI series opener towards the West Indies National Cricket Workforce, with the match set to be played on Sunday, September 27, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, providing a surprise role for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India must manage their squad rigorously as some key players are away for the Asian Games 2026. With the T20I captain Shreyas Iyer unavailable for the ODI series, Kaif has recommended a special batting order that might give Yashasvi Jaiswal beneficial time in the middle order. Earlier, Kaif makes massive declare on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s World Cup future.
Mohammad Kaif picks India XI for 1st ODI vs WI
Mohammad Kaif feels Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma should open the innings, with Virat Kohli coming in at No. 3. He needs Yashasvi Jaiswal to bat at No. 4 as an alternative of his standard opening role.
Ruturaj Gaikwad can follow at No. 5, whereas KL Rahul might bat at No. 6. Ravindra Jadeja is Kaif’s alternative at No. 7, adopted by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Kuldeep Yadav. Kaif then picked two quick bowlers to finish the enjoying XI. Nevertheless, the cricket pandit has not picked his tempo attack, so it might be both Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, or Auqib Nabi.
Mohammad Kaif said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “I believe you can play Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 4 on this series. After Rohit goes, he’ll open anyway. You may shuffle in white-ball. Rohit and Gill can open, and Virat at three and Jaiswal at four, as there is no Shreyas. Gaikwad can bat at five, Rahul at six, Jadeja at seven, and then Nitish Reddy and Kuldeep Yadav, adopted by the quick bowlers.”
Mohammad Kaif needs India to play Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 4 towards West Indies
The former India batter feels Yashasvi Jaiswal can be given this chance as a result of he is expected to grow to be an opener after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. He additionally believes Gaikwad and Jaiswal can both get important match follow in the course of the West Indies series forward of the New Zealand tour.
He added, “You may set both Jaiswal and Gaikwad on this series. It is always up and down in white-ball, so play Jaiswal at four. I believe it ought to be an easy name, actually.”
Mohammad Kaif’s India XI:Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, and two quick bowlers. Amid this, Naman Dhir reveals first reaction after receiving Workforce India call-up.
Asian Games over World Cup preparations? Kaif questions India’s priorities
Mohammad Kaif has additionally questioned India’s determination to ship a powerful squad to the Asian Games 2026 whereas an important ODI series is happening at the same time. Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer are among the key players unavailable for the West Indies ODIs.
The former Indian batter questioned whether winning the gold medal ought to be given extra significance than getting ready the principle ODI staff for the World Cup as a result of India has only restricted ODI matches left earlier than the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Kaif signed off by saying, “I was wanting at the teams for the Asian Games, and lots of of them have sent new players. We aren’t prioritizing ODIs here however wanting at the Asian Games. All our important players are there.”
“Different nations have sent younger teams, so is winning the gold not an important thing for them? We want to win the gold whereas other teams wish to groom players or not giving this a lot significance?”
Source: cricketaddictor.com
