5 Indian Test specialists who failed in ODIs

One of the biggest challenges for an international cricketer is to change his game from one format to the other and excel in every format. With so much cricket going around the world, it's become imperative for a cricketer to play according to the format. While some players are able to adapt to the change, others find it difficult and are eventually labelled as 'specialists' of a particular format.

In India, if a player has performed well in one format, then he is expected to do the same in all formats. But unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. Especially players who have done well in Tests find it extremely difficult to get going in ODIs. While batsmen find it tough to play attacking cricket, bowlers find it tough to stop the opposition batsmen from scoring quick runs. There have been a lot of Indian cricketers who fall under the category of 'Test specialists' who didn't do well in ODIs. Here is a list of 5 such players.

#5 Murali Vijay

Vijay has played 17 ODIs for India

Murali Vijay made his international debut in 2008 against Australia. Vijay impressed everyone with his temperament and technique and became a regular member of the Indian Test team. Vijay has played some important innings for the Indian team in Tests, especially in overseas conditions. In 57 matches Vijay has scored 3907 runs at a decent average of 40.70. He also has 12 Test centuries to his name.

Vijay's eye-catching stroke-play was expected to make him a successful ODI player too. However, Vijay's ODI career never took off. In 17 ODIs Vijay scored only 339 runs at an average of 21.18. Vijay hasn't played an ODI since 2015.

#4 Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma proved to be too expensive in ODIs

Ishant Sharma made his Test debut way back in 2007 against Bangladesh. However, he shot into prominence with a sensational performance against Australia in early 2008. Ishant, who was just 19 at that time, bowled some scintillating spells and troubled the likes of Ricky Ponting. Ishant also played a huge part in India's triumph in the ODI tri-series that followed.

Ishant's Test career blossomed after the Australia tour but he struggled in ODIs. Ishant was given a lot of chances in ODIs but he failed to cement a place in the ODI side. He lacked consistency and was often guilty of giving away easy runs to the opposition. Ishant has taken 115 wickets in 80 ODIs with an average of over 30 runs per wicket.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara couldn't make it big in ODI cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara was seen as Rahul Dravid's successor when he first came into the Indian team. While he has been able to do so in Test cricket, Pujara failed terribly in ODIs. Pujara became the mainstay of India's middle-order after the retirement of stalwarts like Dravid and Laxman. He scored big runs and cemented his place in the Test side.

Owing to his Test form, Pujara was rewarded with a place in the Indian ODI team against Zimbabwe in 2013. However, Pujara looked completely out of sorts in ODIs. In the 5 ODIs he played for Team India, Pujara scored just 51 runs and was eventually dropped from the team. Pujara's limited-overs career suffered a big blow when he wasn't picked up in the IPL either.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

Off late Rahane has been batting in the middle-order in ODIs

Ajinkya Rahane was rewarded with a place in the Indian side for some consistent performances in domestic cricket. Apparently, Rahane was first selected in the ODI before making his Test debut two years later. The Mumbai batsman started his ODI career as an opener and played some stunning innings for the Men in Blue. After some steady performances in ODIs, he was selected in the Test side. He has played some crucial innings over the years. Rahane is currently India's vice-captain in Tests.

However, he fell behind in ODIs. With Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan doing exceptionally well as openers, Rahane was asked to bat at number 4, a position he isn't familiar with in ODIs. Rahane failed to rotate the strike in the middle overs and couldn't score quick runs which led to his exclusion from the ODI team.

#1 VVS Laxman

Laxman didn't a play single World Cup in his 8 years long ODI career

VVS Laxman is one of India's finest middle-order batsmen of all time. The elegant right-hand batsman has played some match-winning innings for team India. However, Laxman wasn't an instant success in Tests.

However, after a few initial setbacks, Laxman eventually sealed a place in the Indian Test side. The 'very very stylish' player was known for scoring runs when the team needed them the most. Playing in the lower-middle order, Laxman helped India snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on numerous occasions. But unfortunately, he wasn't that effective in ODIs. In an ODI career spanning 8 years, Laxman played only 86 ODIs. Laxman scored 2338 runs at a below-par average of 30.76. He failed to score runs consistently and was in and out of the ODI side before finally getting dropped for the last time in 2006.