In-consistent run in the ODI series meant that selectors parted ways from Tamil Nadu batsman Dinesh Karthik and dropped him from ODI team that will play against Australia in a five match ODI series. His axing will mean that Rishabh Pant will now become the more fancied choice for the 2019 world cup.
KL Rahul was re-called to the team sighting his form for India A team that played against England Lions. Rahul’s inclusion in the team may be a clear indication that selectors are keeping him in the plans for the world cup.
“We have included him [Pant] considering the fact that he is a left-hander and we are going to discuss with the team management. We will try and figure the best possible batting position for Pant. With a left-hander in the side, there is an advantage of left-right combination. We want to give Pant a few ODIs before taking a final call on World Cup,” India’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said.
Jasprit Bumrah was re-called to the team after a much deserving break alongside regular skipper Virat Kohli. The inclusion of Vijay Shankar is an indication that he is well in the plans for the world cup as the second all-rounder alongside Hardik Pandya.
The squads have been split into two, for the first two ODIs (in Hyderabad and Nagpur), and the last three ODIs (Ranchi, Mohali and Delhi).
India’s squad for 1st and 2nd ODI against Australia: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul
India’s squad for the final 3 ODIs: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MSD (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
