Middle-order
Virat Kohli will be the first man to be on the team sheet as India’s Test skipper is India’s best player (the best in the world, maybe) in this format in the last 5 years. The chances of R Ashwin going wicketless in a home Test is more than India dropping Kohli for an ODI. If India take a 3-0 lead in the first three matches, Kohli might be rested for the remaining two matches.
Manish Pandey, who scored an unbeaten century at Sydney in India’s last match with a proper squad will get the nod to bat at number four while skipper MS Dhoni will get a chance to bat at number 5.
With the absence of Ajinkya Rahane/KL Rahul in the middle order, the selectors have recalled experienced batsman Suresh Raina to bolster the middle-order. Unfortunately, the left-hander was ruled out of the first ODI due to viral fever and is expected to play in the second ODI at New Delhi. So, it is likely that Kedar Jadhav will be in the playing XI ahead of Suresh Raina for the Dharamsala ODI.
Hardik Pandya, who was with the Indian team during the T20I series against Australia, Sri Lanka, Asia Cup T20 and the World T20 earlier this year, got a maiden call-up to the ODI team and is certain to make his debut in the first ODI at Dharamsala.
Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav (Suresh Raina will replace him once he is fit) and Hardik Pandya
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