India gear up to face Sri Lanka in the first of the three-match ODI series in Colombo on August 2. Here's what India's XI might look like for the first ODI under Guatam Gambhir.
After whitewashing Sri Lanka 3-0 in the T20I series, India will look to assert their dominance on the hosts by starting strong in the ODIs. A vastly different squad that includes seniors like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul, and newcomers like Harshit Rana and Riyan Parag, will be in action. This will also mark the beginning of Gambhir's tenure as head coach in ODIs.
Here's how India's squad for the three 50-over games looks.
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
India's predicted XI for first ODI
Settled top order
With the heavyweights all back, this part of the XI is the easiest for India to construct. Shubman Gill will partner Rohit at the top, with the only difference being that this will be his first ODI with the added responsibility of vice-captaincy.
Kohli, meanwhile, will slot back in at No.3 for the first time in ODIs after the fateful 2023 World Cup final. While it's been more than seven months since the World Cup, Kohli will technically, come in with unbelievable form in the format, having made seven fifty-plus scores in his last eight ODIs.
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli
Pant or Rahul in the middle?
The biggest dilemma that faces India is whether to go with the incumbent wicketkeeper KL Rahul in the middle order or to back Rishabh Pant, who is returning to the ODI setup after a long gap.
Rahul had an excellent World Cup batting at No.5, before playing the South Africa ODI series as captain in the middle order. Overall, he averages 50 and strikes at 87 in the format. However, India have shown their preference for three-format players and consider Pant as one. While Pant's ODI average (34) is significantly lower than Rahul's, his strike rate is almost 20 points higher. He also has the advantage of being a left-hander.
KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant: Who Should Be India's First-Choice Wicketkeeper for the ODI Series Against Sri Lanka? 🤔#KLRahul #RishabhPant #India #SLvsIND #Cricket #ODIs pic.twitter.com/TvPDO96X1C
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 1, 2024
While the sample size is just three T20Is, the Gambhir management has shown a propensity for taking bold calls and for sticking with left-right combinations in the batting order, which indicates that for no fault of his, Rahul might find himself out of the XI.
Shreyas Iyer, on the other, makes a comeback and should slot in at his usual position, No.4.
Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant
Who will be the all-rounders?
India have four options to choose from for slots six to eight - Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. Dube has played just one ODI while Parag has played none. If the way the two players were utilised in the T20Is is any indication, Parag is better-placed to get the nod, especially given his spin-bowling abilities which will be useful in Colombo.
In the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar is almost certain to play at No.7 as the main all-rounder. For No.8, India have the option of Harshit Rana, a fast bowler who can hit big, and Sundar, an off-spinner who is more than handy with the bat. If they pick Parag, Axar, and another spinner in Kuldeep Yadav in the XI, chances are they might give Rana a debut to balance the bowling attack with three spinners and pacers each.
Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana
Bowlers - 2 quicks, 1 spinner
Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested for the T20Is, comes back for the ODIs and will slot straight in at No.1 as the leading spinner, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will most probably continue in their roles as the leading fast bowlers on the tour.
Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma (c)
Shubman Gill (vc)
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Riyan Parag
Axar Patel
Harshit Rana
Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Siraj
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