A post-match revelation by Shreyas Iyer has shed new light on India's team selection strategy, with the middle-order batter disclosing he was a last-minute replacement for Virat Kohli in Thursday's first ODI against England. Unexpected opportunity While initial assumptions suggested Yashasvi Jaiswal was Kohli's replacement after the latter's withdrawal due to a sore knee, Iyer confirmed his inclusion wasn't part of the original plan. "I wasn't supposed to play today. Virat unfortunately got injured and then I got the opportunity," Iyer said after his match-winning performance. Strategic shift The surprise move indicates a potential tactical evolution under head coach Gautam Gambhir, particularly regarding the left-right batting combination preferences ahead of the Champions Trophy. The team management appears to be considering a restructured batting order with Jaiswal as a regular opener and Shubman Gill at number three. Late night call Iyer revealed the dramatic timing of his selection, recounting how a movie night was interrupted by captain Rohit Sharma's call informing him about Kohli's swollen knee and his possible inclusion. "I went back to my room and went off to sleep straight away," he added. Selection conundrum The team's strategy seems to be evolving around specific roles: KL Rahul preferred over Rishabh Pant for wicketkeeping duties, with Hardik Pandya maintaining his position as the primary lower-order aggressor. The potential batting order could see Kohli at number four, followed by left-handed Axar Patel, with Rahul or Pandya's position depending on match situations. Future considerations After Iyer's impressive counter-attacking fifty that turned the match in India's favour, the team management faces interesting decisions ahead of the second ODI. When pressed about the selection surprise by commentator Parthiv Patel, Iyer remained diplomatic: "What do you want me to say? I am just going to keep it lowkey and cherish the moment and the victory."Original Article