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Xtra Time Web Desk : Team India white ball skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday confirmed that Ishan Kishan will open the innings in the first ODI against West Indies on Sunday, February 6, in the absence of regular opener Shikhar Dhawan due to COVID-19.

Talking about the opening combination in a pre match press conference, the 34 year old said, "Ishan [Kishan] is the only option. He will open. Mayank [Agarwal] is still in isolation. Some rules in place, players travelling need to be put into quarantine. [Ishan opens] Unless there's an injury,”

In his first interaction with media as full-time ODI skipper, Rohit refrained from entertaining any questions on his likely elevation as Test captain, Kuldeep Yadav's gradual integration into system post surgery and need to manage the workload properly.

"It is always important that everyone comes together and plays that role that has been given to them. What is important for us, moving forward is the role clarity of certain individuals in the squad," Rohit said at a virtual press conference ahead of the first ODI against West Indies.

The skipper said that he would communicate with the individuals concerned.

"I think, if we can, you know, put that in place and talk to the individual about it, I think, we can get what we want from different individuals at different points in time of need," he added. As a successful franchise skipper and also one who hasn't done badly whenever he has led the team in Kohli's absence in earlier times, Rohit believes that a 0-3 loss against South Africa is an aberration and there is no need to press the panic button.

"Look, there is not a lot that we need to change, we just need to adapt to different situations of the game that has been presented in front of us. We have played good ODI cricket over the course of a few years, more than a few years actually. So suddenly a series defeat doesn't mean that there is panic that we need to create," he added.

He did admit that the South Africa series, where he wasn't a part due to injury, was a great learning for them.

"It is just that certain understandings and certain learning we need to take in our game. The South Africa series was a great learning for us as to what we didn't do collectively. It cannot always happen with one or two guys stepping up," added Rohit.