HT’S TOP CHOICES
India selectors are expected to pick a squad for the ODI series against Australia that could become the backbone for the World Cup campaign in UK. HT picks 15 who could make the cut:
ROHIT SHARMA
The world’s best ODI opener right now and also one of the best tacticians in the game, Rohit is indispensable. Virat Kohli’s deputy is also the only player in the current squad to have scored an ODI double hundred.
MS DHONI
Back in rhythm, the most experienced player in the side is still brilliant behind the stumps. He also provides valuable inputs to bowlers and the captain. For India to win the Cup, Dhoni needs to have a good dress rehearsal here before IPL.
MOHAMMED SHAMI
A strike bowler, he regained ODI rhythm in Australia and New Zealand to be named Man-of-theSeries. His ability to crank up pace makes him unpredictable to batsmen. His workload will have to be managed with IPL in between.
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
As a left-handed batsman, Dhawan complements Rohit and helps disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm. Dhawan has another chance to hone his skills before going back to the country where it all started for him in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
KEDAR JADHAV
Provides crucial balance to the team with his parttime off-spin. His flat, round-arm deliveries are difficult to pick. As batsman, Jadhav can adapt to any situation in the middle-order, stay on or attack and finish the game. Has two ODI centuries.
KULDEEP YADAV
The wrist spinner can get wickets on any surface. However, the chinaman bowler started his tour of England last year on a brilliant note but was found out towards the end. He will be wiser by that experience. Has done the best bowling with Chahal.
RAVINDRA JADEJA
A back-up spinner, he also provides batting balance. He should be given a run considering his good record in England (281 runs in 17 games, avg 70.25.). Jadeja can make it purely on the basis of his fielding ability.
KL RAHUL
The back-up opener is a gamechanger in white-ball cricket. He has hundreds in all three formats. He hasn’t played many ODIs though in the three years since his 2016 debut and that could be a factor hurting his confidence.
HARDIK PANDYA
The best all-rounder in the team, he needs to be managed well. His medium pace is more effective in short bursts while his hitting skills as a lower-order batsman lends further depth to an already strong batting line-up.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
The leg-spinner varies approach according to the wicket, and has the ability to run through the side when in form. Like Kuldeep, Chahal too needs to show he has learnt his lessons after last year’s England tour produced mixed results.
RISHABH PANT
Dinesh Karthik is experienced and can finish games but his young counterpart can turn any match on its head with the bat. High on confidence after his Test exploits, he can be the X factor.
VIRAT KOHLI
Captain. The No 1 batsman in the world has no competition when it comes to chasing down targets. At 30, Kohli is at his batting prime, and possibly at his most mature level as captain after winning the Test and ODI series in Australia.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
The No 1 bowler in white-ball cricket with pace, control and variations. His rise has been phenomenal considering his Test debut a year back. An unorthodox action and ability to learn quickly makes him a pacer any team will die to have.
AMBATI RAYUDU
Has established his credentials at No 3 or in the middle-order whenever given a chance. He was part of the 2015 World Cup squad but didn’t get a game. This series is another chance for him to ensure that is not repeated.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR
What he lacks in pace is made up with swing, an asset to have in England. Although he should enjoy those conditions the most, the team management knows he is effective when utilised smartly.