Team India is back for the Indian leg home season as we take on the mighty South Africans in what can be seen as a pre-IPL audition for the team owners to get excited about. A 3 match ODI series is a perfect setting for all the players to come back in form before the star-studded Indian Premier League begins. With the team’s news just around the corner, We have a look at the players who might get a chance to don the Indian jersey for the upcoming Tournament.
Beginning with the openers, India still feels the absence of Rohit Sharma nursing his injury that’s keeping him on the sidelines. Rohit’s partner the Gabru of India Shikhar Dhawan, might get an extended run in the team. Dhawan has had a poor outing in currently ongoing the DY Patil T20 Cup.
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KL Rahul was mighty impressive the last time he opened for India in the ODI’s against the West Indies and his return to the top slot shouldn’t come as a surprise. MSK Prasad and Co. could also put their trust in the young guns like Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill.
Once an issue of major concern, India’s middle-order has improved since the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey who look to have cemented a spot for themselves on the roaster. The big question that remains to be answered is the participation of the Indian captain Virat Kohli who would prefer to take a small break before the hectic IPL begins. It might open up as an opportunity for Surya Kumar Yadav.
Speaking of all-rounders, the inclusion of Jadeja is a no-brainer. The return of our recently engaged fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is a big plus to the team. Hardik has been in great health gaining muscle mass and excellent form scoring a 37 ball hundred and picking up a 5-fer in a match during the DY Patil Cup.
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Last but not the least, talking about the bowling department, the spin twins of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will be India’s spin bowling options. Things get interesting when we get to the pacers. Jasprit Bumrah will look to redeem himself and spearhead the bowling unit after a poor outing against New Zealand. Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be eyeing a spot in the team as the team management might look to rest Mohammed Shami over injury concerns. The likes of Kedar Jadhav & Shardul Thakur also stand an outside chance to make in the squad.
India’s Squad Prediction:
Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
*Shubman Gill or Surya Kumar Yadav may get a chance is Virat Kohl is rested for the series
