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In the year 2018, we had an opportunity to witness loads of ODI cricket with as many as 128 ODI matches on offer. Amongst all the teams, England played the most number (24) of ODIs in the year with India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan sharing the second position with 20 ODIs each. England also won the most number (17) of ODI matches while India finished at the second position in the list of most ODI wins (14) in the year 2018.
With 14 ODI wins, India fared decently in the year 2018. They started their 2018 ODI campaign on a winning note as they defeated South Africa in South Africa (5-1) while breaking numerous records. After a layoff of five months, they played their second ODI series of 2018 against England in England where they lost 2-1.
Post-England tour, they travelled to UAE for the Asia Cup 2018 which they won comprehensively without even losing a game in the whole of the tournament. Finally, they ended their 2018 ODI journey with a 3-1 (one tie) win in the five-match series against the West Indies. All in all, the Indian team had an impressive year in the ODIs in 2018.
In their 2018, with 2019 World Cup upon the heads, they tried quite a few players in their ODI team. Moreover, in the process, as a part of their player replacement policy, they handed quite a few ODI debuts. Thus, in this article, we will have a look at all the players who made their ODI debuts for India in the year 2018.
#4 Siddarth Kaul
The Punjab bowler, Siddarth Kaul, became the first player to make his ODI debut for India in the year 2018.
Kaul made his debut against England in the first ODI of the three-match series. He didn't have an excellent debut game as he failed to grab a single wicket while squandering 62 runs in his quota of ten overs.
The year didn't prove to be a fruitful year for Siddarth as he failed to perform with the ball. And hence he got a limited number of chances this year. Having played three ODIs, he bowled as many as 27 overs and went wicketless in the year 2018.
Moreover, he leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.63. However, with the year 2019 around, he will look to perform to his potential while making vital contributions for India.
#3 Deepak Chahar
The UP-born bowling all-rounder, Deepak Chahar, shot to fame with his impressive stint in IPL 2018 for Chennai Super Kings where he happened to be MS Dhoni's frequent weapon in the powerplay overs. Besides, he also proved to be a vital member of the India-A side for their English tour.
Hence, on the back of his performances for CSK in IPL and for India-A in List A games, he got a call-up to the Indian ODI team as a replacement to Hardik Pandya who injured his back in the Asia Cup 2018. After having called to the squad, the well-built all-rounder made his ODI debut in a Super Four fixture against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2018.
However, Deepak had an ordinary match against Afghanistan as he conceded 37 runs in his share of four overs. However, he did manage to grab a solitary wicket in the name of Gulbadin Naib.
Coincidentally, this also happened to be his last appearance in the 50-over format for India in the year 2018 as he failed to get a longer run in the ODIs pending his mediocre performance.
#2 Rishabh Pant
In the year 2018, Rishabh Pant had a ball of a time in Test cricket as he made some essential contributions for India. Howbeit, he didn't have a honeymoon period in the shorter formats of the game.
Having made his T20I debut in February 2017, the Delhi-based wicket-keeper made his first ODI appearance in October this year. Pant made his ODI debut against West Indies in the first ODI of the five-match series.
However, the left-handed batsman didn't get a chance to warm his willow as India won that particular game by a margin of eight wickets with no job to be done by Rishabh. Nonetheless, the Delhite had his chances in the coming two games of the series. But, he failed to grab those chances.
Thus, having played three ODIs in the year 2018, the wicket-keeper batsman brought up just 41 runs at a dull average of 20.5 and a strike-rate of 132.26. Owing to this, the BCCI decided to drop him for the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.
#1 Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed proved to be the best debutant for India in ODIs. Having performed brilliantly in the quadrangular series against Australia A and South Africa A, the Rajasthani pacer got a call-up to the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2018.
After his way to the Indian ODI squad, the left-handed bowler made his debut against Hong Kong in India's opening game in the Asia Cup 2018. He had a dream debut against Hong Kong as he scalped three wickets while giving away only 48 runs in his quota of ten overs.
Despite a decent debut game, Khaleel failed to make the playing XI for the coming three games. Nonetheless, he got a chance to play in a Super Four game against Afghanistan which ended in a dramatic tie. In the Super Four game, Ahmed grabbed a solitary wicket from his quota of ten overs.
Consequently, on the back of his decent performances in the Asia Cup 2018, he retained his place in the Indian squad for the ODI series against West Indies. The series against West Indies proved to be the highest point in his career thus far as he registered his best ODI figures of 3 for 13 while grabbing five wickets in the series.
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