India Cricket Team has made two big changes for the 2nd ODI. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as predicted by InsideSport have been rested with Hardik Panyda leading the side in IND vs WI 2nd ODI. The good news is that Sanju Samson and Axar Patel get the chance while Suryakumar Yadav keeps his place in India vs West Indies 2nd ODI.
India Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar
With some of the key players injured or missing, Team India have a chance to give the backups a go. Rohit Sharma did just that, dropping to No 7 while Virat Kohli did not even bat.
It was a hint at things to come and Team India have just that. Both Rohit and Virat rest giving chance to Sanju Samson. Kohli and Rohit will anyway be the first names on the team sheet in Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.
IND vs WI 2nd ODI: Selection muddle
- It’s clear that Team India will stick to Suryakumar Yadav no matter how many times he fails. In 22 innings, he has 9 single-digit scores. He has scored below 20 thirteen times.
- But it’s his X-factor that keeps the World No 1 T20 batter in the ODI team even after a hat-trick of golden ducks.
- The only option left for now is to try out Samson, resting Virat Kohli from “meaningless” ODIs against West Indies. India have opted for this option.
- Suryakumar Yadav can occupy Virat Kohli’s place at No 3 while Sanju Samson can be used as a floater at No 4 or No 5.
- The truth is, the two ODIs are the only opportunity Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have to try out Samson.
- In any given day, conditions, formats, Ravindra Jadeja is a sure-shot starter. His three wickets in 1st ODI would not matter much in team selection for Asia Cup or World Cup.
- But even then, India have opte dto go with two left-arm spinners in both Jadeja and Axar.
- With two ODIs left before Asia Cup, Axar Patel makes a case for Rohit’s chance to test the combinations theory.
Also Read: Samson raises question on consistency vs merit as Rohit-Dravid prefers SKYfall
Shardul Thakur also starts with Umran Malik and Mukesh Kumar also featuring in 2nd ODI.
India ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad
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