Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian team management has decided to rest Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur for the third and final ODI against Australia at Rajkot. According to a report in Indian Express the duo will now directly join the squad in Guwahati, where the Indian team is set to embark on their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 journey as they will play their first warm-up game against England on September 30.
Shubman Gill has been in exceptional form, impressing cricket enthusiasts with his consistent performances. In the second ODI against Australia, he notched up his sixth century, marking his fifth this year. Gill’s centuries span encounters against New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Australia, showcasing his remarkable prowess. He also boasts a T20I century in the same year. With a staggering 1230 runs in 20 innings at an average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03, Gill is the leading run-scorer in ODIs for 2023.
The Indian team management has been diligently planning workload management, as seen with the strategic rest provided to senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first two ODIs. Both Sharma and Kohli will rejoin the squad for the final match in Rajkot. This emphasis on player well-being underscores the team’s commitment to maintaining peak performance in the long run.