No Rahul, India bank on Shankar as an all-rounder
NEW DELHI: India skipper Virat Kohli had made it clear at the start of this ODI series that this would be the last set of games for finalising the World Cup squad despite the Indian Premier League available for fresh assessment ahead of the tournament starting in the UK on May 30.
And the Indian team management demonstrated on Wednesday that despite the pressure of having to win the series — tied 2-2 going into the final game at Ferozeshah Kotla — the final pieces of the World Cup jigsaw were crucial. And the focus seemed to be on the all-rounder’s spot as Vijay Shankar was slotted to bat at No 4 — India went into the game a batsman less — and Ravindra Jadeja picked ahead of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
The No 4 batting slot is seen as a problem area, but KL Rahul is more of a backup opener than a middle-order bat and Ambati Rayudu has been in and out. Shankar and Jadeja apart, Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are also handy with the ball and bat respectively.
India’s best pace trio — Bhuvneshwar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami — played the last ODI before the World Cup.
Shankar was given a great chance to prove his credentials batting up the order as his seam bowling will be ideal in England conditions. He would be very important in case Hardik Pandya does not find his best after being sidelined with a back problem. Although bowling coach Bharat Arun expects World Cup pitches to be flat, the seamers can still do a bit in cloudy conditions. As Pandya uses IPL to prove his fitness and match readiness, India will hope Shankar ticks every box.
Jadeja was superb with the ball, returning 2/45 and having contributed as a bowler in the first two games. It will help in regaining his batting composure, especially his big-hitting late in the innings, which will be vital as his fielding will be a big bonus.
With MS Dhoni a certainty, India would be heartened by Rishabh Pant’s better keeping in the final ODI. If he is picked for his batting, that could leave KL Rahul and Rayudu fighting for one batting spot. The deadline for naming the squad is April 23.
Jadeja returned 0/33 in the first ODI in Hyderabad and scored 21 and returned 1/48 in Nagpur; the two games India won. In Ranchi, he made 24 after going for 64 runs in a wicket-less spell. Vijay Shankar too has been steady — 0/22; 46, 2/15; 0/44, 32; 26, 0/29 — with Arun saying his batting ability has boosted his bowling confidence.
Jadhav has the experience to rebuild. His match-winning 81 in Dhoni’s company in the first ODI should stand him in good stead, though the assessment of his part-time spin in England too will be crucial.