IND vs SA: 3 Senior Players Who Can Be Dropped From The ODI Squad 

India have begun their preparations in South Africa for the upcoming three-match Test Series, starting from 26^th December 2021. India have never won a Test series in South Africa and they would be keen to create history this time around. Their tour, however, won’t finish after playing three Tests only. The Test series will be followed by three ODIs, which are scheduled to be held from 19^th January to 23^rd January 2021.

India recently named Rohit Sharma as the new captain in the ODI format. He will lead the Indian Cricket Team in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has been appointed the new vice-captain. The squad for the ODI series, however, is yet to be announced.

India’s senior men’s team last played an ODI series against England at home. India won the three-match series by a 2-1 margin. A lot of the players who were in that squad aren’t in the best of form right now. There could be a chance that they might not be picked for the upcoming series against South Africa. On that note, let’s look at three senior Indian players who can be dropped from the ODI squad against South Africa.

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IND vs SA: 3 Senior Players Who Can Be Dropped From The ODI Squad

Shikhar Dhawan

Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan is no longer in India’s scheme of things in the T20I as well as Test format. The southpaw wasn’t included in India’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad. However, he is still the first-choice opener for India as far as the ODIs are concerned. Shikhar Dhawan, in fact, led the second-string Indian side when the Men in Blue toured Sri Lanka for a T20 and ODI series.

Having said that, there could be a chance that Shikhar Dhawan might not be picked in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. Dhawan is currently playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His performance in the competition hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence. In 5 matches, Shikhar Dhawan has only managed to score only 56 runs. His returns in the tournament have only weakened his case for inclusion in India’s ODI squad.

On the other hand, rising sensation Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in phenomenal form with the bat. In 5 matches, he has already hit 4 centuries. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if Gaikwad gets the nod ahead of Shikhar Dhawan in the squad.

Hardik Pandya

India’s talented all-rounder, Hardik Pandya was last seen playing for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He made disappointing returns with the bat. In 5 matches, he scored 69 runs. Besides, Hardik didn’t bowl for the majority of India’s campaign due to fitness issues. The team management was criticized for persisting with Pandya despite his struggle to bowl with full intensity.

Hardik Pandya was dropped from the T20 series against New Zealand, which was held after the World Cup. Ahead of the ODI series against South Africa, fitness, once again, remains the biggest concern for Pandya.

He is currently training hard to attain full fitness. For now, it is difficult for him to warrant a place in the team as a genuine batsman. He will, in all likelihood, miss out on the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In the last couple of years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has certainly lost his steam in white-ball cricket. The 31-year old has lost pace and his ability to swing the ball. He looked out of rhythm while bowling for India in the ICC T20 World Cup. However, despite that, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was included in India’s squad for the T20 series against New Zealand, which was held later.

Kumar was far from his best and picked three wickets in 3 matches at an average of 25. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been enduring a torrid run in white-ball cricket and he might not be selected in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. Given, how Mohammed Siraj has bowled in Tests and T20Is, the management would be tempted to pick him ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the squad.