Three players India can try out in future ODIs

Deepak Chahar (left).
Deepak Chahar (left).

At the start of World Cup 2019, India were one of the hot favorites to win it with most of their bases covered. They played dominant cricket through the tournament but lost out to the Kiwis in the semifinal. The top-order fell apart chasing a modest target of 240 as India lost the game by just 18 runs to bow out of the tournament.

With a few senior players struggling, its time for the Indian management to replace or, at least, name some backups for them in the coming ODIs in order to give a launchpad to a newer generation of cricketers that will carry the flag along in the future. Performances for the India A side and in the domestic circuit should be the determining factor in these choices.

India A will play South Africa A in a five-match series in the fifty-over form slated to begin on August 29th. The five-match series will be an ideal platform for many of the youngsters to showcase their skills.

In the recently-concluded ODI series against the West Indies, India completed a comfortable series win winning it 2-0. Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Navdeep Saini proved to be the biggest positives for the Indian team as the young trio performed way better than expected.

Here, let us take a look at the three promising players Team India can try in the coming ODIs who can be future long-term prospects for the Men in Blue.


#1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill.
Shubman Gill.

With the likes of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan opening the batting in the 50-over form, a replacement for either of the Indian batsman will be an uphill task for the Indian selectors. Shikhar Dhawan's recent form in the ODI's seems a bit of bother as the Delhi-born batsman is failing to convert the starts into big fifties and hundreds. With him struggling at the top, the opening slot seems quite open, and few young faces might get a go in the coming ODIs.

Shubman Gill is one of that kind batsman who is capable of replacing Dhawan. The right-handed batsman was in sublime form playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League. He looked quite aggressive while opening the innings with Chris Lynn for the Kolkata-based franchise.

The 19-year-old performed well even outside the subcontinent, showing his class in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018. With a series of performances that helped him win the Man-of-the-Tournament prize in the recently =-concluded India A tour of West Indies, Gill looks in sublime form. Gill's temperament might also be good enough to fetch him a spot in the Indian senior team.

Gill seems to be the perfect replacement and stand-by at the top for the Indian batting order and if given a chance is ready for the international circuit. Gill can also be a floater and well be the answer to India's No.4 spot.

Shikhar Dhawan.
Shikhar Dhawan.

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#2 Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar.
Deepak Chahar.

The Indian pace attack looks formidable with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar but lacks a swing bowler who could swing the ball early in the innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who previously donned the role, is slightly out of form. Bhuvi's recent form is a bit of concern for the Indian side as the pacer is going for plenty of runs at the death.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

With him struggling, the selectors need to groom a young pacer who could swing the ball at the start and could also provide breakthroughs an keep it tight at the death. Deepak Chahar is the kind bowler who could replace Kumar in the long term.

Deepak Chahar's career's turning point came with the Chennai Super Kings as his pace and swing at the start of the innings helped his side restrict the opponents to a below-par total. Chahar made his T20I debut against England with figures of 4-0-43-1. Deepak's second outing helped him gain a lot of confidence as he ended with the figures of 3-1-4-3. He is a part of the recent T20I set-up as well and recent heroics might probably fetch him a place in the 50-over format.

He has managed to perform well for CSK over the last two seasons and would be raring to go if given a chance. The 27-year old has troubled the batsman in the domestic circuit and the Indian Premier League. Chahar might well be a valuable addition to the current Indian 50-over setup.

#3 Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana.
Nitish Rana.

The current Indian setup lacks a young batsman who could stabilize the middle-order. With only Rishabh Pant being the lone left-handed batsman in the current setup, another aggressive left-hander might not be such a bad idea.

Nitish Rana is the kind of batsman who could perform well in the middle of the order. He is a match-winner and can change the course of a match within a few overs.

Rishabh Pant.
Rishabh Pant.

Rana, who came into the limelight with his consistent performances for Mumbai Indians in 2017, would be a valuable addition to the Indian 50 over form. In the 2017 season, Rana managed to score 333 runs in his 13 innings and regularly featured in the playing XI.

In the following season, he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders as he was draft by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR. 3.40 crore.

Nitish Rana seems to be the perfect replacement and stand-by in the middle for the Indian side and if given a chance looks ready for the international circuit. The 25-year-old can also be a floater and well be the answer to India's No.4 spot. Nitish can also be handy with the ball, having scalped seven wickets at an average of 17.

The dashing batsman is currently part of the India A side and would be looking forward to the series against the South Africa A.

Does the skipper think Rana warrants a place in the senior team?
Does the skipper think Rana warrants a place in the senior team?

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Edited by S Chowdhury