Shankar, Shubman Gill replace KL Rahul, Pandya 

Indian selectors have named Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill as replacements for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for the ongoing ODI series against Australia and in the series against New Zealand respectively.

READ | BCCI suspends Pandya, Rahul with immediate effect

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Shankar will join the side before the second ODI, while Gill will join for the New Zealand series.

The selectors had to pick replacements after Pandya and Rahul were handed suspensions for their controversial comments on a TV show.

While this is for the first time Gill will make it to the limited-overs side, for Shankar, it will be a second assignment after the outing in the Nidahas Trophy.

But it is believed that the selectors were impressed by the way Vijay Shankar performed in the one-dayers between India A and New Zealand A last year.

He played the role of the finisher, amassing 188 runs in three games at an average of 94. Gill had a great run in the domestic season for Punjab.

BCCI officials have told this publication that Mayank Agarwal's name was also considered but the selectors decided to give a chance to Gill.