India Cricket Team will be eyeing to secure the ODI series in the IND vs SA 2nd ODI. Ahead of the match, the Men in Blue has quite a few selection headaches to deal with. The biggest news is the absence of Shreyas Iyer who will be missing the 2nd and 3rd ODI. This also means that Rinku Singh is likely to get his much awaited ODI debut.
With Shreyas Iyer turning his focus to Test cricket, there opens a gap at number 3. Moreover, there is also a selection headache down the order.
No Shreyas Iyer for IND vs SA 2nd ODI
With WTC Points up for grabs, the 2 Test matches are of utmost importance to the India team. With the seniors, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah returning, Shreyas Iyer too will join the Test squad and participate in the inter squad friendly.
So who takes Iyer’s spot in the Indian Playing XI? The most likely candidate to be promote up the order will be young southpaw Tilak Varma. This in turn free up a spot down the order. Rinku Singh slots in at number 6 as the designated finisher in the team.
Predicted India Playing XI – What to expect?
- Ruturaj Gaikwad will open the Indian account with fellow partner Sai Sudharsan. The latter is in red hot form after having slammed a fine fifty on his ODI debut in the previous game.
- At Number 3, Tilak Varma gets promote up the order in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. KL Rahul slots in at his preferred number 4 spot.
- Sanju Samson will retain his spot in the team and will look for a batting chance at number 5. Rinku Singh will get his debut and will play at number 6 for the designated finisher’s role.
- Axar Patel, the able all-rounder slots in at number 7. For the spinning partner, it will be a head to head clash between Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
- The pace trio will be comprise of Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar.
Predicted India Playing XI
- 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad
2. Sai Sudharsan
3. Tilak Varma
4. KL Rahul (C) (WK)
5. Sanju Samson
6. Rinku Singh
7. Axar Patel
8. Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Avesh Khan
11. Mukesh Kumar
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 (Unavailable).
