Published: May 11, 2015, 08:58 AM (IST)
Edited: May 11, 2015, 08:58 AM (IST)
Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav have been premier batsmen in domestic cricket over the last two years. India are set to tour Bangladesh for a Test and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in June. Nishad Pai Vaidya writes that this trio deserves a shot during the ODI series, which may see numerous frontline squad members taking a breather.
Back in 2014, India toured Bangladesh for three ODIs a few weeks after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Led by Suresh Raina, India went in with a second-string squad as some of the biggest names had a breather at the end of a long season. A year down the line, India have a similar assignment as they visit the neighbouring nation for a Test and three ODIs. However, the challenge is contrasting as Bangladesh are a better side than they were a year ago. A good World Cup campaign followed by a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in ODIs is proof of their growth. READ: Bangladesh: Joy of watching the Bangla Tigers succeed
India may still consider giving a few players a breather and sending in some of the fringe candidates. For starters, they have to send the full-strength Test squad for the lone encounter. India need their Test squad to settle with the new captain, Virat Kohli taking charge. In ODIs, they may mull a few changes although they need to proceed with caution for Bangladesh are a dangerous side in the format. Nevertheless, one expects some players to take a breather with some new faces getting a go. In that case, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav deserve spots in the ODI squad. READ: Have Bangladesh conquered their fear of losing?
Uthappa had toured Bangladesh last year and hit a fifty in the first game. He then played for India against Sri Lanka later in the year. With other batsmen ahead of him, he missed out on a World Cup spot. If some players rest, Uthappa should be one of the first candidates to be picked for the tour. He is one of the most improved batsmen in domestic cricket, having reworked his technique with Pravin Amre. From the slogger in his early days, he has blossomed into a dependable batsman. It is important that India capitalise on his good run. READ: Bangladesh: The ugly duckling of world cricket comes off age
The other batsman India should not waste in domestic cricket is Pandey. One gets the sense that he is often judged on his IPL performances — where he hasn’t been as consistent as he has been in domestic cricket. A look at his First-Class record will show that Pandey knows to play the longer versions and is one of the premier batsmen in domestic cricket. He was picked last year for India but his opportunity went by as West Indies returned home. Pandey is one talent India need to use. At the age of 25, Pandey has time on his side. If India bring him in now and he settles into the role, he will serve India well in the years ahead.
Jadhav is one of the most skilful batsmen in the country. Short in stature (but certainly not in skill), he is quite compact and finds new ways to score runs. He can loft deliveries with the power of his wrists and get himself into good positions to play strokes. He too toured Bangladesh last year but did not get an opportunity. On the tour Down Under, he was the star for India A, and was rewarded with a call-up for the series against Sri Lanka, where he made his ODI debut. In the ongoing IPL as well, Jadhav has shown that he is confident of performing on bigger platforms. Though he is past 30, India can still bring him in and give him a go for he deserves it for his consistency.
India have to pick their squad wisely, blending in a good balance between youth and experience. You do not want an inexperienced side to face a resurgent Bangladesh, but a few consistent performers deserve opportunities and this tour may be the time for them.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
