The upcoming edition of the ICC World Cup is set to be played later this year. The teams have started gearing up for the mega event and the permutations and combinations about the squad for the tournament has already been bothering the team management. Among all the aspects that need to be addressed here, a keynote that most of the teams would be taking note of is to ensure that their players are well rested.
When it comes to fatigue, and the Indian team players come to the fore. It is a well-known fact that the Indian team plays most no. of the games in a calendar year. With the IPL lined up for the players ahead of WC 2019, it is not surprising to know that the Indian team management would want to rest their key players ahead of the World Cup.
Recently, after team India won the ODI series in New Zealand, the Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri hinted about resting Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma from India’s next assignment. Team India is set to host Australia in a home series prior to the IPL. He also noted that Mohammed Shami, who was a star performer in the New Zealand series, deserves rest now.
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Talking to Star Sports, Shastri said, “There would still be one or two places we would be looking at. In general, the team picks itself. What you want is the team not losing form with five games to go for the World Cup. You, in fact, should grab every opportunity you get and make the most of it. Now, Shami would need a break – he has had a long season. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma could get a break as well.”
While it will not be tough for the selectors to replace someone like Shami in the team, since Jasprit Burma would make a comeback, resting Shikhar and Rohit could pose a lot of questions. Team India does not have backup openers in ODI cricket. If Dhawan and Rohit are rested, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane could be tested as reserve openers. However, both these gentlemen are currently out of the ODI squad.
Shastri lavished praise for Shami following his Man of the Series display to lead the visitors to a 4-1 win over New Zealand in the five-match One-Day International series. A year ago, Shami had failed the yo-yo fitness test and his personal life was in disarray. But he’s bounced back in style with his bowling coming for high praise since India’s overseas tours beginning 2018.
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Talking about Shami, the head coach said, “If there is one man I have to single out over the last five months or so, it’s Mohammad Shami. He got a kick up the backside after failing the yo-yo test. He went back, did the hard yards, came back fit and has not broken down since. He has been outstanding, that too across all formats.”
The New Zealand series also witnessed the comeback of Hardik Pandya to the squad following his suspension. He was useful with the ball in the third ODI and scored a quick-fire knock of 45 before picking up a couple of wickets in the fifth ODI. The rescue act, though, was kick-started by Ambati Rayudu who scored 90 runs to take India from 18/4 to eventual 252 all out.
Praising the all-rounder, Shastri said, “Hardik is a natural talent and a match-winner. Those 20-30 runs with the bat made the difference. Rayudu played really well today. This was the toughest of all the five matches. From 18/4 to go on to win the game. He batted like a millionaire in the last game and he was told that. The way he came out to today was commendable.”
