5 Surprising Takeaways from India's Squads for Australia T20Is, ODIs

The BCCI, on Friday (February 15th), announced squads for Australia T20Is, ODIs; the series which will begin on February 24th in Vizag. Meanwhile, the board has named three different teams – for two T20Is, for the first two ODIs and a separate one for the final three One-Dayers. Cricket Addictor will look into the five surprising takeaways from India’s squads for Australia T20Is, ODIs. Here are team India’s squads for the two T20Is and five ODIs –

India squad for two T20Is –

Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande.

India squad for first two ODIs –

Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul

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India squad for final three ODIs –

Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant

Five surprising takeaways from India’s squad for Australia T20Is, ODIs

• Struggling KL Rahul returns to India team for Australia series

The India opener, KL Rahul has returned for Australia series. Since the BCCI had been looking out for an option to fill the third opener slot; KL’s name has to top the list. Though he had been struggling to hit form for a while, KL found a bit of his touch during the unofficial Tests against England Lions. In two outings, KL has scored 89 and 81; guiding India A win the second match by an innings and 68 runs.

• Rishabh Pant looks likely to retain his place for 2019 World Cup

Rishabh Pant was part of Australia T20Is and the New Zealand series as well. The BCCI selectors have looked upon him as someone who could be the second-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the team for the 2019 World Cup. Though Dinesh Karthik also remains in line for a call-up, giving Pant an extended run clears the idea of whom the selectors are hoping to lock in.

• The team preparing Vijay Shankar to play as the second all-rounder in the team

Hardik Pandya is the frontline all-rounder in the Indian team. Meanwhile, the side, led by Virat Kohli, will want his backup as well. Vijay Shankar, of late, has been identified as India’s second best all-rounder. Shankar earlier replaced Pandya for the ODIs against Australia and later took part in the New Zealand series also. Though he didn’t attain big numbers, Shankar showed he has it in him to stick around in the challenging conditions.

• No sign of Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik

Ravindra Jadeja has to be the unlucky chap here. He didn’t feature on any of the lists despite getting to pick for both Australia, and New Zealand ODIs. Though he didn’t play too many matches Down Under, Jadeja remained an integral part of the team heading into the 2019 World Cup.

As he is nowhere to be seen on the teamsheet for Australia T20Is, ODIs; the thought of making him sit out of India’s 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup looks clear now.

For Dinesh Karthik, the road map to England and Wales appears all but diminished at the moment. As he is there on the teamsheet for the T20Is and not the ODIs, it seems evident the selectors have made up their mind on who should be second to MS Dhoni in the showpiece event.

• Mayank Markande earns maiden India call-up

The young spinner from Punjab, Mayank Markande earned his maiden T20I call-up. Having to play and impress for India A team against England Lions in the second unofficial Test, the Mumbai Indians spinner has gained the selectors’ confidence heading forward.