India’s tour of West Indies: Team India has a good chance to try bench strength in the presence of young players. In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, former captain Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, the Indian cricket team management would like to try bench strength in the three-match ODI series against West Indies. The first match of the series between India and the West Indies will be played in Port of Spain on Friday. Young Indians under Shikhar Dhawan will have a good chance to cement their place in the team.
Coach Rahul Dravid will have some big questions regarding team composition
Who will be Dhawan’s opening partner?
Ishan Kishan has been included in the team as a backup wicketkeeper and opener. In the second and third T20 against England, Rishabh Pant had to sit on the bench when he landed in the opening. Rohit and Dhawan had opened in ODIs. While Rohit and Pant have been rested from this series, Ishaan is ahead in the opening race. However, this would mean that there will be two left-handed openers. If India goes with a left and right combination, either Rituraj Gaikwad or Shubham Gill could be the opener.
Who will get a chance in the middle order?
Suryakumar Yadav will be able to cement his place, leaving Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, and Shubman Gill in two or three places depending on the pitch and team composition. Iyer was seen as number 4 for a long time but due to a shoulder injury he suffered last year, he was away from the wicket for almost six months.
During this, Surya Kumar strengthened his place by performing brilliantly. Now that Kohli has been rested, it is believed that he can get the number three spot. But Samson and Gill are also close to making room.
What are the options for all-rounders?
Spin bowlers Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel give strength to the team in the lower order. Deepak Hooda also bowls off-spin. Although he does not make the ball turn much, he can do some strict overs. He has given away runs in List A in 218 overs at an economy of 4.45 only. It is a golden opportunity for Hooda to make a place in the team.
What would the bowling attack be like without Shami and Bumrah?
Shardul Thakur can be given a chance in the absence of fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammad Siraj will be on the top due to their experience. The last two places can be found by Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Prasidha Krishna. Both the players Prasiddha Krishna and Avesh bowl fast and have the ability to bowl hard lengths as well. Which gives them more bounce.
Luck shined under Rohit’s captaincy
Surya Kumar Yadav and Team India captain Rohit Sharma play for the same team in IPL. Suryakumar has also got frequent opportunities in the Indian team under the captaincy of Rohit, which he has taken advantage of and has made his place in the team. India has to play Asia Cup 2022 in August this year and T20 World Cup 2022 in October. Suryakumar Yadav is going to be the first choice of the team to play in both these big tournaments.