After the three-match test series against New Zealand, India will face the Kiwis in a five-match ODI series starting at Dharamsala on October 16. This series might feature India’s full-strength squad for the first time in ODIs since playing Australia in a five-match series in January this year.
MS Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket will return to lead the ODI squad. A lot of changes are expected from that squad and the fans might also see India’s hero of the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh, in the squad for the series. But, will he make it to the playing XI? Will KL Rahul play in the ODIs? Let us take a look at the playing XI India should go in with against New Zealand.
NOTE: India’s ODI squad to face New Zealand is yet to be announced.
Openers:
Rohit Sharma, who scored a crucial 82 in the second innings of the second Test against New Zealand might have just sealed his spot in the Indian Test team after being in and out of the team for a while. He might not have been a regular in the Test team in the past but when it comes to the ODI format, Rohit is always an important member of the team.
Ever since the team management promoted Rohit Sharma to open the innings, the Mumbaikar has been consistent and plundered a lot of runs including two double hundreds. It is quite certain that Rohit will open the innings in the ODIs against New Zealand.
There are few names that compete for the other opener’s slot. Rohit’s long-time opener Shikhar Dhawan is vying for the opener’s slot along with in-form KL Rahul and middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane. There is speculation that Dhawan injured his left thumb while batting in the second Test and might be ruled out of the ODI series. This makes it a two-way battle between Rahul and Rahane for the remaining position. It is certain that both these men will be in the Indian ODI XI, but who will open the innings along with Rohit?
Out of these two men, one will open the innings and the other will bat at number 4 in the batting order. When compared to Rahane, Rahul is capable of accelerating whenever needed and that makes him the right choice in the middle-order. Rahane opening with Rohit will allow Rohit to play his natural game and bat longer.
Openers: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane
Middle-order batsmen
Virat Kohli has been the mainstay of India’s batting order for the past 5-6 years and the same is expected from him in the New Zealand series too. There are some concerns over his form in the longer version but Kohli is experienced enough to turn the tide in his favour. He will be India’s no. 3 in ODIs. As mentioned previously, KL Rahul should bat at number 4.
Rahul has been in the form of his life and been scoring runs for fun. In the three ODIs he has played so far, he has scored 196 runs at an average of 196 including an unbeaten 100 on debut and became the first Indian to score a 100 on ODI debut. So it is certain that Rahul will be included in the playing XI if he passes his fitness test (which is likely to happen).
With Suresh Raina out of contention for a place in the ODI team, there were reports that the selectors are in favour of bringing back Yuvraj Singh for the ODIs and reports also said that the dashing southpaw successfully underwent a fitness test at NCA, Bangalore.
Bringing Yuvraj back into the ODI playing XI is not a wise move as it will be unfair on Manish Pandey, who has been brilliant of late.
After scoring a match-winning 100 in India’s win over Australia at Sydney earlier this year, Pandey continued his brilliant form in the Zimbabwe tour and the quadrangular ODI series in Australia. Pandey should be rewarded for his consistency and should get into the playing XI ahead of any other batsman.
India’s ODI skipper MS Dhoni will complete India’s middle-order for the ODI series against New Zealand.
Middle-order: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni
Spinners:
It is certain that India will go in with 6 frontline batsmen including wicket-keeper MS Dhoni. In that case, the Men in Blue will need an all-rounder who can contribute with the bat. Two names that will be competing for this role will be Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Both Jadeja and Patel are capable of giving the team 10 overs and can score some crucial runs down the order. As far as the spinners are concerned, the likes of R Ashwin and Amit Mishra will come into the reckoning. There is a chance for Ashwin being rested ahead of the long home season in which India are scheduled to face England, Bangladesh and Australia in 10 Test matches till the end of February next year.
It won’t be a bad decision to give R Ashwin a much-needed break as he has some concerns with his index finger.
If Ashwin is rested for the ODIs, Yuzvendra Chahal might get a look in as the second spinner and Mishra will be in the playing XI alongside all-rounder Jadeja, who might just get the nod ahead of Axar.
Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra
Pacers:
This is probably the best time to be an Indian cricket fan who likes fast bowling. Over the years, fast bowling is one department which gave the team management a lot of concerns. But, in the last few years, the team has seen the emergence of Mohammad Shami, who is on course to become the fastest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets.
As the saying goes, “fast bowlers hunt in pairs”, but Shami doesn’t seem to have found the right bowling partner in Team India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked promising but he somewhat lost his way. But, in the last 6 months, the Indian fans saw a different Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who got his mojo back and is raring to go. In all likelihood, Bhuvneshwar will most likely take the new ball for India in the ODIs against New Zealand.
India will go in with three pacers and the role of the third pacer will in all probability go to Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has been impressive since his debut and he is likely to play alongside Bhuvneshwar and Shami in the pace bowling department.
While Bhuvneshwar will bowl the majority of his overs with the new ball, Bumrah will take responsibilities in the death overs along with Shami, who can bowl both with the new ball and at the death.
Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
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