5 experiments that India should make in the 5th ODI

Rest Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma could be rested now ahead of series against Australia and South Africa

It might sound crazy to suggest that Rohit Sharma should be rested just when he is back and has scored back-to-back centuries. But there is an issue of stress management here as Rohit will be one of the most important players for India looking ahead at the series against Australia and South Africa.

It is never easy for someone who has just returned from a big injury to play two long innings in the Sri Lankan heat. And going forward, another injury for Rohit is what India can ill afford at the moment.

More importantly, resting Rohit will allow India to experiment a bit. The core batsmen in Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli and Dhoni seem to be settled and looking good to play the World Cup 2019. It is the rest who must be tried out and given more opportunities now.

KL Rahul deserves a chance at the top of the order and he needs some runs under his belt to get back his confidence. India can therefore open with Rahul and Dhawan, with Rahane to follow and Kohli batting at no. 4.

Kohli has suggested that experiments will continue now since the series has been won. It is therefore Rahul and Rahane who India should support to get back among runs because that augurs well for the team in the long run.