Jan 13: Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar will replace suspended Hardik Pandya for India's ongoing ODI series in Australia while rookie Punjab opener Shubman Gill will be joining the national team during the limited over series in New Zealand.
"Initially, the selectors had picked Mayank Agarwal for KL Rahul and Vijay Shankar for Hardik Pandya but it has been learnt that Agarwal is nursing a niggle," a source close to the selection committee told PTI.
"That is why the team management has asked for only one replacement in Australia and that is Shankar. Gill is being rewarded for his good show in Ranji Trophy and India A-tours," he added.
Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry into their sexist comments on a TV show, ruling them out of the three-match ODI series against Australia.
Pandya had boasted about hooking up with multiple women and being open about it with his parents during the interview. Rahul was, however, a shade more restrained in his responses on relationships.
They have already returned home from Australia as the BCCI suspended them on Friday for their outrage-evoking comments on women, hours after the duo's on-field leader Virat Kohli expressed his disapproval.
The 27-year-old Shankar is a middle-order batsman from Tamil Nadu who can also bowl medium pace.
Comments
Add new comment