India v Sri Lanka 2014: Suresh Raina rested for final ODI

Suresh Raina

Indian assistant coach Sanjay Bangar has confirmed that Suresh Raina will not be available for selection for the fifth and final One Day International (ODI) match of the ongoing 5-match series against Sri Lanka.

With India having won the series already, the team’s think-tank has decided to give the 27-year-old some rest ahead of a gruelling schedule that awaits. Speaking ahead of the dead rubber, to be played on November 16 at Ranchi, Bangar said: “For tomorrow's game, we don't have Suresh available. He is being rested. Everybody else is available for selection from the squad we had in the last match (in Kolkata)."

He added: "Obviously, the boys who have missed out or have not got an opportunity so far, will have a very good chance to play tomorrow. Everybody is getting opportunities more or less."

Kedar Jadhav likely to come in

If the training sessions are anything to go by, Maharashtra middle order batsman Kedar Jadhav, who was seen having an extended spell with Duncan Fletcher, is expected to replace the left-hander. The 29-year-old hasn’t yet made his international debut despite being in the scheme of things for quite a while now following a spectacular Ranji season last year, where he topped the run-scoring charts, and an impressive Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 with Delhi Daredevils.

The right-hander is the only frontline batsman who hasn’t yet got a chance in this series, and therefore it is quite predictable he will be filling in. Vinay Kumar, on the other hand, could come in for medium pacer Umesh Yadav, who has performed exceptionally well in the series so far leading the wicket-takers’ list with 10 wickets in 4 matches.