Batting, for a change, should keep the selectors busy
NEW DELHI: India’s selectors are likely to focus discussions on the shaky form of key batsmen and the choice of spinners in the absence of injured R Ashwin when they pick the 15-player squad to defend the title at the ICC Champions Trophy starting on June 1.
BATTING BLUES
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya picking themselves, the selectors have little worry over the pace composition. However, for a change, they are expected to pore over batting options and Delhi teenager Rishabh Pant could make his ODI team entry. Pace will be the biggest challenge provided by South Africa, Australia and hosts England and the batsmen will have little time to recover from the IPL before the meet.
The two men expected to anchor the innings, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have looked below their best in the IPL. Rohit Sharma is expected to return, having proved his fitness in the IPL following thigh surgery, but opener KL Rahul is out due to shoulder injury.
DHONI’S SUCCESSOR Former skipper MS Dhoni’s role as an assured finisher is diminishing.
This could well be the swansong of the double World Cup-winning captain, who also led the team to the 2013 Champions Trophy title. While Kedar Jadhav and Yuvraj Singh played well against England in January’s home ODI series, selectors could still go for Pant.
It won’t be easy to tee off in English conditions, but Pant showed in the last domestic season, and with his stunning 97 for Delhi Daredevils against Gujarat Lions, that he could provide the X factor.
Parthiv Patel and Manish Pandey, besides in-form Rahul Tripathi (Rising Pune Supergiant) and Mumbai Indians’ Nitish Rana too could be discussed but they may find it tough to make the cut. In spin bowling, Amit Mishra will face competition from fellow leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel will also be in the reckoning. NEWDELHI: Having not played for a while and being out of form as well, Mumbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons struck the right cords on Saturday against Delhi Daredevils. While there were nerves early on but Simmons, who made 66, said his preparation at the nets helped him overcome that phase.