Ashwin, Shami in focus vs NZ
LONDON: Yuvraj Singh will miss defending champions India’s first warm-up tie against New Zealand on Sunday due to viral fever, the team said.
Yuvraj had an injury scare before landing in London for India’s ICC Champions Trophy defence after hurting his finger during the final stages of the IPL.
Off-spinner R Ashwin will be in focus with pacer Mohammed Shami when India face the Kiwis at the Oval.
India last played an ODI in January, against England at home. All eyes will be on Ashwin as he is coming from a two- month break after the BCCI wanted him to opt out of the IPL as he was fatigued after playing all 13 Tests in a gruelling home season. He also had sports hernia.
The warm-up matches -- the second game is against Bangladesh on Tuesday -- will provide Ashwin much-needed game time as he fights for his place with Ravindra Jadeja in case the team management decides to pick only one specialist spinner in XI.
TOUGH CONDITIONS
It will be a good opportunity for Ashwin to test his skills against the likes of Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Tom Latham on a placid Oval track where 300 is considered a par score. Ashwin has not exactly had a great time in white ball cricket but the spinner recently said he is ready with a bagful of new tricks for the Champions Trophy. One can expect him to try out new variations.
SHAMI COMEBACK
Shami hasn’t played 50-over cricket for India since the 2015 World Cup semifinal in Sydney. A fit Shami will be an asset with his ability to work up brisk pace, swing the ball both ways and hit the blockhole.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah along with Hardik Pandya looking good to make it to the playing XI for India’s opener against Pakistan on June 4, Shami would be keen to make a case for himself.
Among the batsmen, Rohit Sharma will again be opening after batting at No 4 for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Rohit would look to make some adjustments for facing the new ball . He had played a couple of Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai after recuperating from a thigh surgery but that was over two- and-a-half months back.
Shikhar Dhawan has been lucky to get a look-in due to KL Rahul’s absence after shoulder surgery. Dhawan, adjudged the ‘best batsman’ when India won the title in 2013, will be eager to again cement his place.