The timing of the ODI collection towards Sri Lanka is certainly odd. The three-match collection can be India’s first because the one towards South Africa in January and their final one earlier than they face England subsequent February at residence. However these six ODIs are all that India have earlier than they finalise their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for subsequent February-March. In contrast to T20Is and Checks, India have a settled line-up at their disposal within the ODIs, however when it comes to trying on the future, every of those six ODIs deliver a lot to the desk with few calls ready to be taken.
Similar to the T20Is, which India clear swept, they’ve a full-strength squad accessible for the ODIs. Sri Lanka, who’re nonetheless reeling within the aftermath of that sensational collapse within the third T20I in Pallekele, are additional depleted in Colombo, the place all of the three ODIs can be performed on the Premadasa stadium. With Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara already lacking, the hosts must make do with out their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka, who had an excellent World Cup in India.
With the end result being kind of a foregone conclusion, the collection can be ultimate for Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir to deal with some key areas that want quick consideration.
T20I Collection ✅
It’s now time for ODIs 😎🙌#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/FolAVEn3OG
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 1, 2024
Rahul vs Pant
This could not even be a query contemplating KL Rahul not solely aced within the position of a wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, however was additionally their finest participant within the format for during the last two years. His glovework on the World Cup was excellent and he appeared to benefit from the position behind the stumps as he was consistently within the ears of the spinners plotting dismissals. Ought to he be the popular one for the position, no eyebrows can be raised as it could permit India to make use of one other batsman or all-rounder in that spot.
However Pant’s presence means he will certainly be among the many dialogue. Though the left-hander didn’t actually come near proudly owning the spot within the ODIs, the place he averages solely 34.60 in 30 matches with only one century and 5 fifties, Pant for certain is an X-factor participant value investing in. Aside from his capabilities to blow up within the middle-overs, Pant by advantage of being a left-hander brings worth addition. With Gambhir a giant fan of getting left-right mixtures as a lot as attainable, Pant’s inclusion may also make whole sense.
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 31, 2024
Ought to India embody each Rahul and Pant, the one approach they will accommodate Shreyas Iyer – one other pillar within the middle-order – is that if they play with simply 5 bowling choices. That can be a giant gamble to take, and harsh on Iyer.
Parag, Washington and Dube
If one goes by the T20Is, it is extremely evident that Gambhir prefers having batsmen who can chip in with a number of overs. Even throughout Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach, it’s one space the place India failed to search out the proper personnel who might present them the steadiness. They have been largely depending on Hardik Pandya, who has been dropped for the ODIs. Phrase round is that the selectors and the crew administration need him to show his health by that includes within the Vijay Hazare Trophy and given his damage historical past, they’re taking a look at grooming Nitish Kumar Reddy. If not for damage, Nitish would have been on the airplane to Sri Lanka.
Whereas Shivam Dube is a part of the squad as a seam-bowling all-rounder, whether or not Rohit reveals the religion in his bowling stays the massive query. Even on the T20 World Cup, Rohit hardly ever used him. India can be taking a look at Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar to bat at No 6 or 7 with Axar Patel additionally within the combine.
That may imply, other than Kuldeep Yadav, they will nonetheless make room for yet another pacer alongside Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh.Within the home circuit, Parag has been amongst essentially the most constant performers in 50-overs and can also be used as an everyday with the ball. Batting at No 5 is also a job that comes naturally to him.
So far as Washington goes, he has put within the exhausting yards to suit the mould of a finisher. Like Axar, Washington can be used as a floater anyplace within the batting line-up. His off-spin can also be very useful and within the T20Is, was efficiently utilized in strain conditions. He’s a participant of curiosity for Rohit, who values his all-round credentials and in addition his skill to bowl within the powerplays.
Whoever will get the nod, they are going to play a big position to play going ahead particularly for the crew steadiness. To accommodate one in every of them, India must take the powerful name of selecting two from Rahul, Pant and Shreyas.
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