India’s batting order has once again sparked debate after former cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioned the team management’s decision to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside Rohit Sharma in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.

With Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out because of a sore left thigh, Jaiswal was drafted into the XI and pushed to the top of the order. That meant captain Shubman Gill had to slide down to No. 3, a move Tiwary felt could create more confusion than clarity for India going forward.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Manoj Tiwary said the combination could leave selectors and team management stuck with difficult questions if Gill performs well in the middle order. He also warned that if Jaiswal clicks while Rohit Sharma has an off day, the pressure on the veteran opener could only grow in the matches ahead.

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“It will just create a headache for the future and nothing else, if they open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma and demote Shubman Gill. Now, if he scores runs there, he will be thinking, should I go back to the top or not?” Manoj Tiwary said.

“So, I have no idea what they are trying to do at all. I see a massive lack of clarity here, but it feels good to see Jaiswal play, because he deserves to play all formats. If Rohit Sharma somehow doesn’t fire today, then there will be a lot of mental pressure from the outside,” he added.

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On the field, Jaiswal could not make a big impact and was dismissed for just four runs. Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 48 off 39 balls, but the real star for India was Shubman Gill, who struck a superb 154 off 110 deliveries with 22 fours and two sixes. Ishan Kishan also played a dazzling knock, scoring 125 off 79 balls with 14 fours and seven sixes.