India vs England 2021: 5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Series

The top-ranked limited-overs teams are set to take on each other in an epic battle as the ODI series between India and England is set to begin on March 23rd in Pune. England, being the current world champions has a point to prove in the ODI series as they have lost the Tests as well as the T20 series in India.

India will face a stiff challenge from the English players and the three-match series is not going to be an easy takeaway for India by any means. A lot of debutants have been included too in the Indian squad for the first time as we look ahead to strengthen the squad. Here are 5 Indian players who might be benched throughout the series against England.

5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Series:

Shubman Gill:

India has a lot of top-order batsmen which makes it harder for the likes of Shubman Gill to break into the playing XI. The first choice openers will be Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma who have been the best opening combination for India in the last decade. Gill played a single ODI in the Australian tour and scored 33 runs.

However, unless Shikhar Dhawan fails continuously in the first two games, Gill will be benched throughout the series. The middle-order has a lot of tough players with the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav fighting for a spot. As this is a tough series, India might consider opening with the experienced Dhawan throughout the series despite his recent struggle in the T20 series.

KL Rahul:

Kl Rahul will be unlucky to miss out as India are most likely to go in with Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the ODI series. Pant’s recent form has been influential in the whole team’s performances and the test series win against Australia and England.

Rahul hasn’t done anything wrong to be out of the squad expect that his competitor Pant has been in an outstanding form which gives the latter one step ahead. Rahul might make it to the playing XI if India might opt to use Hardik Pandya as the fifth bowler in the ODI series which is most unlikely to happen. Rahul’s recent T20 form might also get the nod for Rishabh Pant.

Washington Sundar:

Washington Sundar is most likely to be benched throughout the series as Krunal Pandya can play the role of a Jadeja at seven. Sundar’s off-spin has been pretty much on the defensive side and hence he is more suited to the T20 format than 50 over format. Also, his last two performances in the T20 series wasn’t that good, which might work in favour of Krunal Pandya.

Washington Sundar is a top-order batsman and Krunal Pandya fits in best at the number seven position at best. Krunal Pandya did exceptionally well for Baroda in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy and earned his place in the Indian team again in the absence of injured Ravindra Jadeja. Washington Sundar might have to wait for his opportunity in the ODI setup.

Prasidh Krishna:

Prasidh Krishna has earned his maiden call up to the Indian team and with the destructive batting that England has got, it will be tough for India to give an opportunity to Prasidh Krishna straight away. He has been rewarded for his excellent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and also he is a bowler that can hit the late 140s consistently.

His KKR stint had been very much helpful for him as he has been working with top international bowlers like Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson. India might start the playing XI with Bhuvneshwar, Shardul and Natarajan as the fast bowlers due to their prior experience in Indian colours, and Prasidh Krishna will get his opportunity sooner or later but in this series, it looks very bleak.

Yuzvendra Chahal:

This is a call that India will make depending on the recent performances of Chahal in the limited-overs series. He has conceded a lot of runs in the Australian tour and in the T20 series against England while not being as effective as he would before. He is a renowned wicket-taker which has been lacking from him after the resumption of cricket.

He needs to work on his bowling through the upcoming IPL as Rahul Chahar might make his way into the T20 World Cup squad if Chahal keeps bowling the same way. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to play in the place of Chahal in the ODI series after failing to get consistent chances and Chahal might have to make way for him throughout the series.