India coach Gautam Gambhir, right, and captain Shubman Gill (PTI Image)
Former India and Karnataka fast bowler Dodda Ganesh criticized the Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, for resting KL Rahul during the third and final ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Rahul, who featured in the first two matches of the three-match series, was left out of the playing XI for the final ODI despite spending little time in the middle. The wicketkeeper-batsman faced 19 balls in the series opener, remaining unbeaten on 39 as India cruised to a seven-wicket win in a rain-trimmed contest. He was subsequently dismissed for a first-ball duck in the second ODI in Lucknow.
With Rahul rested, Ishan Kishan took over the wicket-keeping duties for Chennai.
However, Kishan did not get a chance to bat as India comfortably chased down Afghanistan’s total to secure a 3-0 sweep of the series.Ganesh questioned the logic behind the decision and turned to X to express his frustration.
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“KL Rahul did not need this rest. He played just 20 balls in the series. This makes absolutely no sense,” Ganesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).But India continued their dominance in the series.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna impressed with his maiden five-wicket haul, returning figures of 5-23 in nine overs, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs despite captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring a fighting 102.Chasing 219, India made light work of the target with a strong opening stand between Rohit Sharma and
Yashavi Jaiswal
. The duo added 170 runs for the first wicket, with Rohit scoring 79 before falling to
Muhammad is a prophet
.Jaiswal continued his production and produced a brilliant 110 off 86 balls, his second ODI century in just three innings.
Shreyas Iyer
She provided support at the other end as India completed the chase with 128 balls to spare and cruised to a nine-wicket win.The result also gave India their first ODI series win under the captain
Shubman Gill
who led from the front of the field with two direct hits during Afghanistan’s innings.