India vs Australia: Give MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma A Break: Ex-India Cricketer Wants These 2 Players In 2nd ODI

Former Indian cricketer Heman Badani has come up with an word of advise for Team India ahead of the second ODI against Australia. Badani feels that India should take the field in Nagpur without MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. The ongoing series against the Aussies is India’s last assignment before the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, the team is doing all sorts of experiments to make sure the squad is settled going in for the showpiece event.

And as India gear up to play their last four games ahead of the World Cup, Badani feels Dhoni and Rohit should be rested for the second ODI. He believes that India are yet to figure out the third opener and a reserve wicketkeeper-batman for the World Cup and so suggested that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant should play in place of the two stalwarts.

MS Dhoni continued his red-hot in ODIs this year by scoring his fourth consecutive fifty against Australia this year. The former India skipper scored an unbeaten 59 as India recovered from 99 for 4 to chase down 237 in the first ODI. Sharma, on the other hand, had got the start but threw it away. However, Sharma’s form is not a matter of concern and the team can easily afford to give him some rest.

“I have believed that the series is not just about winning or losing but also more about finding the side for the World Cup and we still haven’t figured out our second wicketkeeper. I would say give Rishabh Pant the game and at the same time, I would say if possible give Dhoni a rest. He has been batting beautifully. He is your number one keeper for sure. He has enough cricket coming up in IPL,” said Badani.

“Also, give KL Rahul a go. He has done good in the T20I contest. Again India still hasn’t figured out the third opener. Everyone knows that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the top two openers, but we still haven’t figured out our third opener. Give Rohit Sharma a break and also give Dhoni a BREAK,” Badani told ESPNCricinfo.

India, meanwhile, are leading the five-series one nil after the impressive six wicket win over the visitors in the series-opener.  They are now up against Australia at a venue where their record has been impeccable. India and Australia have played against each other thrice in Nagpur and the hosts have won all the games so far.