"Got Most 100s After Virat And Rohit": Robin Uthappa Names A "Stalwart" In ODIs

Team India will be squaring off against Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series, beginning Thursday in Harare. The likes of Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, and Ishan Kishan will have a chance to prove themselves while the series will also present an opportunity for the returning KL Rahul and Deepak Chahar to find their rhythm. KL Rahul will be leading India while Shikhar Dhawan will act as his deputy.

Ahead of the first ODI, batter Robin Uthappa said that he does not see Shubman Gill opening the batting as KL Rahul would like to get "miles under his shoes" as he is making a comeback from injury.

"I actually don't see Shubman opening in this series, that's what I feel. My personal feeling is that he might bat at No.3 given how he has performed in West Indies but I think the team management is keeping a couple of things in mind. One is the T20 World Cup coming up and the second is the 50-over World Cup coming up next year. I think Shikhar has been one of our main stalwarts in the 50-over format over the last 7-8 years. He has done exceptionally well," said Uthappa while replying to a NDTV question during a select media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, who will be broadcasting the India-Zimbabwe series.

"He has got the most number of 100s after Virat and Rohit. And he is right up there, Shikhar walks into that opening slot as far as ODIs are concerned. You can tell with how he is batting that he knows his game well. For me, Shikhar would open the batting along with Rahul. KL is playing after a 90-day break, it is important that he gets some time under his wings, and gets some miles under his shoes so to speak. And get back into the groove because we have the Asia Cup coming up in 10 days' time so he wanted to be up