India's predicted XI for the Zimbabwe series

With a new look Indian team gearing up to play the first ODI against Zimbabwe at Harare on the 10th of July, we take a look at their ideal playing XI for this series. With Karn Sharma ruled out, the men in blue will be a man short and you can expect all 14 to feature at some point during this short trip. On one hand, fans might not be excited about this series since India have sent in a second string side. But, it is a different story altogether for the players since they will all be looking to impress the selectors and push for spots in the first choice squad in the near future.

#1 Murali Vijay

It’s now or never for Vijay

It is certain that Murali Vijay will play! And he deserves this chance after putting up some stellar performances in the Test arena over the last year or so. He has never really established himself as an ODI player and this is probably his last chance to do so.

He recently spoke about how he has never been given a long run, but this time it is likely that he will be playing all the five matches. For a player of his class, an average of 19 in 50 overs cricket is simply not acceptable. Time to correct it.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane (Captain)

Rahane ‘the batsman’ will be on focus more than Rahane ‘the captain’

Well, this saga will take another turn during the course of this series. A hundred and probably a couple of fifties will once again give Dhoni and the team management a lot of headache before India’s next ODI assignment.

Nobody expected Rahane to be dropped, and similarly no one expected him to lead the side as well. It all happened too soon for Rahane, but more than his leadership skills, his bat will be the focal point. If he can make use of the fielding restrictions and score freely (and score big), then we might see Rohit in the middle order in the future.

#3 Manish Pandey

Pandey is braced for a debut

Debut awaits! It’s been six years since Manish Pandey came into the limelight as a 19-year-old. But a hint of inconsistency and India’s strong batting lineup over the years ensured that he never got to don the national jersey.

But the time has come for the Karnataka lad to impress one and all. Even one bad outing might prompt the management to look for other options as some of these players will be tussling for the middle order spots in the future.

It was a toss up between him and Kedar Jadhav, but considering the fact that Pandey played a vital role in Karnataka’s domestic treble, he gets the nod.

#4 Manoj Tiwary

Will luck smile his way?

Luck has never been on his side despite all the talent that he has in his armoury. Will it finally shine? Is this Tiwary’s tour? He has to play well to keep his spot in the XI ahead of Jadhav and at the same time, he needs to outscore the rest in order to oust Rayudu from the squad in the future.

Ideally, he needs to slot in at number 4. He can also bowl some decent leg-spin if required which is a bonus since India will be having only two spinners at their disposal.

#5 Ambati Rayudu

Can Rayudu replicate his IPL success as a finisher?

Like mentioned earlier, Rayudu has to watch his back here! There is simply no room for complacency. Forget about trying to force your way into the XI in the future, for now he has to fight to keep his spot in the 1. The likes of Tiwary, Jadhav and Pandey are breathing down his neck.

He needs to score more than the 0 and 44 he made in Bangladesh last month. If he can finish games for India like he has been doing for the Mumbai Indians, then we might even see him in that role in the future.

#6 Robin Uthappa (wicket-keeper)

Time for Uthappa to dethrone his competitors for Dhoni’s spot

There is little doubt that Robin Uthappa will be keeping wickets for India in this series despite the presence of Rayudu and Jadhav. But it might have surprised a few to see him come in at number 6. We love to see him open the batting and go after the bowlers, he loves to open too.

But, he has to sacrifice his personal ambitions and come in at this position. The team management is likely to try him and Dhoni’s potential successors in the future at number 6 in order to replace the ODI skipper on the long run.

Let’s face it, no one can replace Dhoni the finisher at that slot! But at the age of 34, the skipper doesn’t have too many years left in international cricket and he has to be replaced no matter what when he quits.

#7 Stuart Binny

Binny will in all probability play all 5 matches

The big question is, who will be India’s number 7 in their next ODI assignment? Has Ravindra Jadeja been dropped finally? Surely you can’t rest someone who didn’t play even a single Test match in Australia. So that’s a clear indication that the left-arm spinner has been dropped from the ODI squad after facing the axe from the Test team earlier.

Ideally, Binny needs to be given a longer run at this spot. He has been warming the benches for a long time now. Considering that factor, the players who have been warming the benches in the previous tours have to get their due this time around.

Binny can ideally become the seam bowling all rounder India are looking for. Even though, he didn’t do well in the IPL this year, we have seen him contribute in the past with both bat and ball.

#8 Axar Patel

Axar needs to step up in order to replace Jadeja on the long run

He is another contender for the number 7 spot, but he hasn’t convinced anyone with his below par batting performances for India. Even though he has bowled decently, he hasn’t been able to replicate his IPL form with the bat.

Considering there is no Karn Sharma, India will be forced to play with him for all 5 matches unless they decide to play four seamers. He bowled decently in Bangladesh complimenting Ashwin, but now he will have a bigger role in his absence.

Rahane could also use him at the death considering the fact that there will be five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs for this series as per the new playing rules.

#9 Harbhajan Singh

At 35, there aren’t many comebacks in the offing

This series holds a great significance for Harbhajan Singh. It’s been four years since he played ODI Cricket for India and at the age of 35, there might not be enough time to make more comebacks. He has been consistent in the IPL over the years and has always been economical.

But in Ashwin’s absence, he will also be expected to pick wickets in this series. If Bhajji delivers, India might opt to pair him alongside their first-choice off-spinner just like how it was the case against Bangladesh in the one-off Test match.

In such a scenario, it will provide them more flexibility heading into the T20 World Cup next year at home. If they opt for 3 spinners, they can have Axar at 7, else Binny can fill the role.

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi needs to pick wickets with the new ball

One assumes that he has not been rested for this tour just because of his waning form. Everyone knows how important Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in the Indian set up on the long run. He found himself on the sidelines during the World Cup as the team preferred Mohit, Shami and Umesh.

Bhuvi had a great IPL, but once again was off colour after returning to national duty. Dhoni even stressed keenly on the lack of wickets with the new ball. Considering that there is another swing specialist in the form of young Sandeep Sharma, Bhuvi will have to shoulder more responsibility and lead the line.

#11 Mohit Sharma

Mohit needs to rediscover the form he displayed during the World Cup

Even though he was dropped midway during the Bangladesh series, Mohit needs to be picked in the playing XI ahead of Dhawal Kulkarni. He was a part of the pace trio that did wonders at the World Cup earlier this year, and you just can’t sideline him on the basis of one poor performance (in the 1st ODI vs Bangladesh).

He is also someone who can bowl at the death, an area where India have been weakened in the absence of Mohammad Shami.