WI vs IND: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were rested for the second ODI between India and West Indies, with Hardik Pandya taking up leadership duties for the tourists.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI, having lost the first game by five wickets. Chasing 115 in a low-scoring game, India lost wickets regularly, and were 97-5 at one point, but eventually got over the line with 27.1 overs to spare.

In that game, both Rohit and Kohli did not come out to bat at their usual positions. Kohli, who usually bats at No.3, did not come out to bat in the short chase, while Rohit walked out at No.7, only for the first time since 2011.

In the second ODI, both Rohit and Kohli weren’t named in the playing XI. Pandya, captaining the side, said that both were being kept for the final game of the series. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel came in in their places.

“We were looking to bat first,” Pandya said. “We want to see how much we can score on this pitch which is a bit up and down. Rohit and Virat have been playing constant cricket, few questions need to be answered for us so they are resting in this game. They can be fresh for the third ODI.”

A look at #TeamIndia‘s Playing XI for the 2nd ODI!@hardikpandya7 to lead the side today 👌

Follow the match – https://t.co/k4FosiRmuT#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/8wWBzdMrw7

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2023

The statement was an extension of what regular skipper Rohit said after the win in the first ODI. “We wanted to give game time to the ODI guys who have come in, we will keep trying those things whenever possible,” he had said.

Last year, out of India’s 24 ODIs, Kohli played 11 games and Rohit eight. With the World Cup to be held this year, both Kohli and Rohit are expected to be given ample game time: out of the 11 ODIs so far, Kohli has played 10, while Rohit has featured in nine.

India’s scheduled to play the 50-over Asia Cup this year, followed by a home series against Australia, which will precede the World Cup in India.