Three Players Who Might Make a Comeback for India in ODIs

Team India started off their United Kingdom-bound tour quite convincingly winning the Twenty20 International series against Ireland and England respectively.

Team India was quite brilliant in all three departments of the game which saw them winning both the series with disdain. The bowlers did a commendable job and so did the batters.

Hence, India continued their winning run in limited-overs cricket. ‘However, they suffered a thrashing at the hands of England in the second and the third One-day Internationals respectively.

Test skipper Joe Root struck consecutive centuries as England made a terrific comeback by winning both the matches quite comprehensively to seal the series by 2-1.

As India prepares for the five-match Test series slated to begin on August 1 at Edgbaston, they can only ponder over their selection woes in the ODI format. They made some unusual changes which did affect their combination.

Dropping KL Rahul was criticised by many cricketing pundits. Sourav Ganguly feels that he must be given a longer run in the ODI format at the number four spot.

With the World Cup just around the corner, the middle order woes will definitely put them under severe pressure for the quadrennial event.

The team management might look to make a few changes for the tournament. They have a few matches left before the 2019 World Cup and will look to get their combination right. They have a great bunch of players but have to make sure that they get their combination right.

Now, without wasting any time let us have a look at three players who might be brought back in the ODI squad:

Mohammed Shami:

The pace bowling department of India has been severely affected by the injuries suffered. The recent example came in the form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

The duo has been the spearhead of the limited-overs attack for the majority of the last two years. However, they have not been able to play consistently as they have sustained quite a few injuries in the recent past.

India definitely needs some experience in the fast bowling department. Hence, a healthy return of Mohammed Shami seems likely. He might well be in contention for the 2019 World Cup.

Shami hasn’t had the best of times in the recent past. His issues with his wife Hasin Jahan have severely affected his career. However, given the class of the bowler, a strong comeback cannot be ruled out.

Shami was the second highest wicket-taker for India in the 2015 World Cup behind Umesh Yadav.

The experience of playing in the quadrennial event will also keep him in right stead. Shami will look to make a return to the limited-overs squad. He last played an ODI for India in September 2017 against Australia.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

The right-arm off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been out of the limited-overs squad ever since India’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy, last year.

The wrist-spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have done a terrific job for India and has shut the doors on the more experienced duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ashwin has developed several variations up his sleeve. Despite being a conventional off-spinner, he has developed an uncanny ability of bowling conventional leg-spinners as well.

He has worked quite a lot owing to his variations and still hopes to be a part of the Indian squad for the 2019 World Cup. He hasn’t been a great limited-overs bowler in the recent past.

However, there is no doubt about the fact that Ashwin is a world-class bowler and a comeback cannot be ruled out.

Ashwin is also an able batsman. It was very recently that Gautam Gambhir suggested the Indian team management to move up Ashwin at number four. It can be an option.

But, India has some great batters. Eventually, that option might not be feasible. However, he is a useful batsman and has the ability to play some exceptional shots and look like a proper batsman.

Rishabh Pant:

The southpaw was surprisingly included in the 18-man Indian squad for the first three Tests of the impending series against England.

The southpaw scored a couple of half-centuries in the unofficial Test against the England Lions. He looked in great touch and carried on his form white-ball form.

In the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he might not break into the XI as a wicket-keeper batsman. However, he is a class batsman and his power hitting abilities might tempt the team management to pick him.

His technique has been questioned at times. Pant tends to slog quite a bit and doesn’t shy away from applying the same tactics in the longer format. He has a good record as a first-class batter. His attacking style of batting might work in favour of India in the all-important Test series. However, the swing might be an issue for the 20-year-old.

Pant made a huge impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while playing for Delhi Daredevils. He was the top scorer of the side and churned out runs at will.

In one group match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Pant smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 26 runs in a single over. He has a huge array of shots up his sleeve and might be a good inclusion in the ODI squad for India.