A bilateral ODI series is not as high-profile as the ongoing series between India and Australia. This is simply because of the returns of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are looking to retain their places in the ODIs.
After a rain-marred and forgettable outing in Perth, the Indian team heads to Adelaide for the second ODI against Australia with more questions than answers. As weather disrupted the pace and robbed the contest of play, India’s timid batting and questionable team selection revealed some worrying cracks in Shubman Gill’s India’s start. As far as selection is concerned, the biggest talking point ahead of the second ODI now revolves around one man, Kuldeep Yadav.
Unforgettable outing in Perth; Rohit-Kohli fails
India’s ODI restart under Gill started on a damp note, both literally and figuratively. After being bundled out for 136 in 26 overs, India were dismissed by seven wickets (DLS method) in what became a stop-start contest in the rain at Optus Stadium. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, returning to the format after eight months, suffered rusty returns. As they train hard for the second ODI, question marks remain. Gill himself made a rocky start to his ODI captaincy, and the batting order, stretching all the way to No. 8, failed to make the extra depth count.
The bowling also looked flat. On a lively Perth surface, India’s three-pronged attack involving Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana struggled to break through beyond the new ball. The two all-rounders, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, operated in pieces but lacked penetration. For all the talk of poise and confident batting, India still ended up fielding a team that neither batted deep enough nor played incisively.
Why India needs to rethink and bring back Kuldeep Yadav
This is where Kuldeep Yadav’s absence stings. In recent months, the left wrist spinner has been India’s biggest X-factor in limited-overs cricket, a wicket-taker in the middle overs who can change the tempo of a match himself. His control, variation and confidence have made him a force in all formats. Just a few weeks ago, he was named Player of the Match in Delhi against West Indies, where he won the match for India with five wickets in the second innings.
Moreover, Kuldeep’s record in Australian conditions is quite impressive. Across formats, he has taken 13 wickets in seven matches. Yes, the Adelaide Oval may not offer a square turn, but some spinners are bound to be included whatever the conditions. If India is looking for a match-winner rather than an all-rounder, Kuldeep simply needs to return to the XI. Additionally, Kuldeep is India’s highest-ranked ODI bowler (5th) and is expected to play.
The presence of Washington Sundar provides batting assurance at No. 8, but India have repeatedly fallen into the trap of prioritizing depth over power. On days when the top order is batting, that extra batter barely comes into play. Fortunately, Nitish Kumar Reddy showed immense confidence in his ODI debut with the bat. This means that without Washington, India would still have seven suitable batting options. What India lacks most at present is a wicket-taking option which could harm Australia’s middle order. Kuldeep gives them just that.
India scheduled to play XI, 2nd ODI against AUS
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer (VC)
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
Indian ODI squad for Australia series
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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