India Playing XI: No Shami-Ashwin, Shardul to continue as India refuse to rotate

Thursday, Apr 4, 2024 4:29 pm

After facing criticism over Shardul Thakur's selection, Team India has to take a call on him but selection of either Shardul or Shami will depend on the Pune pitch.

Pune’s MCA Stadium in Gahunje will host its first Cricket World Cup 2023 match. And with that comes the mystery of the pitch. Considering the venue’s history, Pune has been slow, and tacky and has assisted spinners. But with the newly laid pitches, the Pune pitch remains a mystery. A quick glance at the new pitch and it seems it will be a batting heaven once again. And if bowling coach Paras Mhambrey is to be believed, there will be no rotation in India vs Bangladesh clash. That means there will no place for Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Shami in India Playing XI vs Bangladesh. Shardul Thakur will continue in IND vs BAN clash on Thursday.

“Yeah, I think it’s important to maintain this start really. So as of now, there is no discussion of kind of rotation from our point of view. I think it is important to carry this momentum for the next game as well. No thought as such,” Paras Mhambrey said at the pre-match press conference.

The last international match in Pune was a batting heaven with nearly 400 runs scored in the IND vs SL T20.

In all likelihood, the pitch may not be as slow as Chennai. And it could offer batters some sigh of relief. But it is still an unknown.

Shami vs Ashwin?

Bringing in Shardul Thakur to increase batting depth hasn’t quite worked out. Shardul has been left to be a bits-and-pieces player in India Playing XI. In the last 30 matches that he has played in, he has completed a quota of 10 overs only thrice. He has also been expensive with the ball. And he has just one half-century in those 30 games with the bat. With Hardik Pandya back to his best, India have never required his services apart from some instances.

In such a scenario, the selection of Shardul Thakur defies logic. Yet, he continues to get the team management’s backing.

Against Bangladesh, India might be tempted to bring back Mohammed Shami or Ravichandran Ashwin in place of Shardul.

If the Pune pitch is of black soil, Ashwin will get the nod with Shami once again warming the bench. But if there is some assistance for pacers, Shami will be the man as Shardul’s presence makes no difference whatsoever in white-ball sides.

IND vs BAN: What to expect?

Bangladesh are the only second team after Australia to beat India in an ODI series in the last 12 months.
India are well aware of the Bangladesh spin choke, especially Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan.
Hence, India will go with their strongest batting unit.
With Shubman Gill returning to the side, he will continue to open with Rohit Sharma.
That move will force Ishan Kishan on the bench once again.
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will continue at No 3, 4 and 5.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will be the two all-rounders in India Playing XI.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will be the two designated seamers in the bowling department.
As for the third seamer or spinner’s slot, India will take a call on that after having a look at the pitch on Wednesday.