3 changes India could make for the 4th ODI

India was expected to have a tough limited-overs tour Down Under with Australia and New Zealand capable of ruffling Indian feathers. Yet, after a combined six games in those two countries, the visitors have been on the wrong end of the exchange only once.

Before India came calling, New Zealand breezed past Sri Lanka and blanked the Islanders 3-0. Thus, many believed the former to pose more of a threat to the irresistible Indian side.

However, New Zealand has capitulated against a strong Indian side and find themselves 3-0 down, with their hopes of a series victory well and truly extinguished.

While there are problems aplenty for the hosts, the visitors will be accorded a rare opportunity to test out their bench strength and work on different permutations and combinations.

Thus, through the lens of this article, we would take a look at the changes India should make for the encounter in Hamilton and why those tweaks are necessary.

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#3 Play Vijay Shankar

Shankar should be given another go

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was drafted into the squad after Hardik Pandya was suspended. Though Vijay Shankar performed admirably with the ball whenever called upon, he was the first to make way when the latter becomes available again.

For years, India has lacked a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder but now they seem to have two players capable of filling the void. While Pandya has already established himself on the international stage, the same can hardly be said for Shankar.

Pandya himself has only recently returned from a long injury lay-off and thus, he too needs minutes under his belt. Hence, India should contemplate replacing Jadhav with Shankar.

Jadhav has already proved his worth on the biggest stage and is a near certainty to be on the plane to England.

Therefore, it would make sense to give him a break and provide Shankar the platform to showcase his talents.

Primarily a batting all-rounder, Shankar would not be out of his depth at No.6. Moreover, if he can come up trumps, India would be in an enviable position of being able to boast of two seam-bowling all-rounders heading into the World Cup.

With not much time left before the World Cup, India needs to make the most of opportunities to test its fringe players.

Though it is hardly a guarantee that Shankar would repay the team’s faith, it will surely provide India with a better idea of who might serve them well in England and who might not.

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#2 Bring in Shubman Gill

Gill deserves his time in the sun

In February 2018, India lifted the U-19 World Cup under the tutelage of Prithvi Shaw. While the youngster rightly hogged the limelight for his superb displays, another precocious talent announced himself to the cricketing world through the course of the tournament.

Shubman Gill was sensational throughout India’s run to the title and his displays reached a crescendo when he cracked a sublime hundred in the semi-final against Pakistan.

In the 2018 IPL too, he portrayed his immense ability whenever provided the opportunity by Kolkata Knight Riders.

However, in the current domestic season, he took his performances up a notch. In the Ranji Trophy, he scored an astounding 728 runs in 5 matches which included a mammoth 268 against Tamil Nadu. Thus, the lad from Punjab deserves his time in the sun.

With Kohli not in the fray for the final two ODIs, India needs to take a gamble on Gill at Hamilton.

The reserve batsman’s slot is still up for grabs and with KL Rahul not covering himself in glory recently, Gill could provide the exuberance India craves.

Back in October 2018, Shaw was rewarded for his prolific run-scoring in the domestic circuit. Five months on, India is presented with another chance to give a greenhorn his due.

And if Gill can live up to his reputation, it could just turn out well.

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#1 Bring back MS Dhoni (if fitness permits)

MS Dhoni has been on a roll in 2019

For only the third time in his career, MS Dhoni sat out a match due to injury. While batting in the 2nd ODI, the veteran complained of a tight hamstring and with the World Cup on the horizon, India decided to not risk the wicket-keeper.

Dinesh Karthik deputised ably for Dhoni and even popped up with a fine unbeaten knock to guide India home. However, if Dhoni has regained his fitness, he just needs to be back in the fold.

Ever since his retirement from red-ball cricket, Dhoni has distanced himself from playing in the domestic circuit. Thus, the only cricketing action the wicket-keeper can get before the World Cup is through international games and the IPL.

Though MS’ place in the eleven for the World Cup is set in stone, he needs to be in the thick of the action to keep himself in touch.

Moreover, the wicket-keeper has started 2019 on a roll and the last thing India would want to do is break up his momentum by resting him unnecessarily.

Time is at a premium before the World Cup and thus, India need to utilise every opportunity to include Dhoni in the eleven.

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