IND vs SL ODI: India vs SriLanka LIVE: With 10 months left for ICC World Cup 2023 at home, India still do not have a settled squad. In fact, it was only the England and Bangladesh series where India somewhat had a full-strength squad. Yet, weak bowling department did not help India’s cause. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has advised Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid to have a settled squad going into the WC. But most importantly, Gambhir says, “Do not take frequent breaks”. Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“First of all, you have to identify the core. We have chopped and changed too many times too frequently. We never had a settled unit. More importantly, you can’t keep taking breaks. When the World Cup is around the corner, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or the core team have to play together. They can’t keep taking breaks,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports show.
IND vs SL ODI: Gautam Gambhir to Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma, ‘Don’t take breaks, identify your core’ to win ICC World Cup 2023, Check OUT
Currently, Virat Kohli is on a break from T20s while Rohit Sharma is injured. Hardik Pandya was not part of the 50-over squad in Bangladesh. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami are still injured while Deepak Chahar is also out with a hamstring injury. All that together, India haven’t played with a settled unit, at least in ODIs.
Furthermore, just when India have begun full-fledged preparations for ODI World Cup, the selectors have dropped Shikhar Dhawan. From the squad. But it should be noted that Dhawan’s loss of form could be attributed to the absence of 50-over cricket. As he became a one-format player and the number of ODIs reduced, he hardly had match practice.
“When you don’t have a settled unit, you start making too many changes. This is what happened in the last two T20 World Cups and even in 50-over World Cup,” Gambhir opined.
IND vs SL ODI: Gautam Gambhir to Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma, ‘Don’t take breaks, identify your core’ to win ICC World Cup 2023, Check OUT
#TeamIndia squad for three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.#INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/XlilZYQWX2
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2022
Gambhir has a point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah haven’t played together for a long time. Bumrah missed the Bangladesh series while KL Rahul missed the England series. Bumrah also did not play the ODI series against West Indies at home.
Rahul Dravid himself has skipped ODIs despite being a coach. On NewZealand tour, Shikhar Dhawan led with VVS Laxman acting as the coach. Considering that, India have not been a stable side over the last four-five years. In SriLanka series, India will once again miss Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. Bhuvneshwar Kumar too has been dropped.
IND vs SL: Why SL ODI series is crucial for India?
- India have returned from Bangladesh after losing the ODI series.
- India need to address their bowling shortcomings.
- The batting unit too looks unsettled.
- With Shikhar Dhawan out of the squad, Rohit Sharma will also have to pick an opening partner.
- Furthermore, with Rishabh Pant out, the equation is simple. KL Rahul will be the keeper.
- That means, despite scoring a double century, Ishan Kishan may have to sit out.
- The battle for opening spot will be between Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan.
- In bowling, India will have Shami available. But other than that, it is an inexperienced unit.
India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
IND vs SL ODI: Gautam Gambhir to Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma, ‘Don’t take breaks, identify your core’ to win ICC World Cup 2023, Check OUT
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