India won the first One-Day International against the West Indies by six wickets after chasing down a low-scoring goal of 177 in 28 overs.
Despite missing a few first-choice players, especially right before the series began, India flew to victory. India's two opening batsmen, Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, both tested positive for Covid.
Due to their absence, India selected Mayank Agarwal and Ishan Kishan as the opening batsmen. Ishan was forced to open the opening match since Mayank was under quarantine. He played well, scoring 28 runs off 36 balls, including two fours and a six. While the other team scored 53 runs during the powerplay, Ishan's bat only produced 14 runs in 23 balls. Rohit Sharma hit the West Indian bowlers all over the park in a smart inning.
A few things will improve for India in the second ODI. Mayank will most likely be free of the quarantine and available for the match, while KL Rahul will likely join the squad. Will management adjust the beginning lineup after Ishan's performance in the first game and Mayank's release from the quarantine? This inquiry will also provide answers to many questions about how the management assigns positions to players. Is it still the case that a few individuals are being moved up and down the order, or have they chosen people with a specific batting order in mind?
If Ishan continues to open, it could indicate that he is being considered as a possible opener by the management. If Mayank replaces Ishan, it means that Ishan was a situational opener and that Mayank is ahead of him in the pecking order.
KL Rahul began the innings in the ODIs against South Africa since Rohit was missing, but it's unknown whether he was a situational opener or would be backed as a full-time opener. He should ideally be playing at number five, where he has had a lot of success.
If KL returns to the middle order, would Suryakumar Yadav, who scored an unbeaten 34 off 36 in the first ODI, be benched or will Deepak Hooda sit to accommodate both batters?
It would be a difficult decision for India's management to make because these decisions will have long-term effects as the teams prepare for the 2023 World Cup.