It has only been a month since the dreaded World Cup final. But the India Cricket Team are back in the OFI format once again. However, unlike the World Cup squad, head coach Rahul Dravid does not have a settled squad anymore. As the focus has shifted to T20Is, India have a few new faces and bits-and-pieces players to make up the squad for the IND vs SA 1st ODI. Hence, the India Playing XI vs SA 1st ODI could also be a little about experimentation on Sunday in Johannesburg.
From the World Cup squad, only three players — Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav — are there in the squad for IND vs SA ODIs. The rest of the squad is made up of debutants and unsettled players.
Thus, comes the selection headache for Rahul Dravid to pick India’s Playing XI.
Problem No 1: Opening pair
Ruturaj Gaikwad is the designated opener and he will start in IND vs SA 1st ODI unless he suffers any injuries. But who will be his partner?
As things stand, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharshan and Sanju Samson are three choices. However, none of them are regular openers in the 50-over format anymore.
KL Rahul has made No 5 spot his own after he was forced to bat in the middle order following the emergence of Shubman Gill. That he scored 498 runs at an average of 75.33 in the World Cup is a testament to that fact. Hence, the team management might just hold back KL Rahul for No 5 and hand Sai Sudharshan India’s debut. And if he does debut, he will have to open the innings.
Another option could be to send Sanju Samson. While he hasn’t opened in ODIs, he has opened the innings for Kerala and Rajasthan Royals and in T20Is.
Then, there is Sai Sudharshan. Rahul Dravid could give the exciting Tamil Nadu batter his debut to see how he does as he is a long-term prospect for India.
Problem No 2: Who partners Axar Patel?
Despite a fine run in the IND vs AUS T20Is, Axar Patel was snubbed from the IND vs SA T20Is. But he is India’s first-choice spin-allrounder in the ODIs in Ravindra Jadeja’s absence.
However, the problem is: who partners him? India have Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal and an in-form Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep bagged a fifer against South Africa in the third T20I. But Rahul Dravid will be willing to test the waters with Yuzvendra Chahal who hasn’t got many opportunities.
Washington Sundar is another option waiting in the wings. As a future replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin, India have to give him as many chances as possible.
Rinku Singh or Sanju Samson or both?
The biggest selection dilemma is about Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh. While Sanju Samson has been in and out, never getting a longer run, Rinku Singh’s excellent T20 form has propelled him to the ODI side as well.
But as both are likely to fight for the No 6 slot if Tilak Varma starts at No 4, India will need to take a call on No 6 between Sanju and Rinku. The other option will be to go with both with Sanju at No 4 or 5 and Rinku at No 6. Now, it’s up to Rahul Dravid to take a call on.
India ODI squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.
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