Published: Jul 05, 2013, 02:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 23, 2014, 09:34 PM (IST)
Gautam Gambhir is likely to make a comeback to the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe tour © Getty Images
Nishad Pai Vaidya discusses the possible combinations for India for the upcoming tour to Zimbabwe.
In a cloudy setting in England, a young Indian team rose like a phoenix and clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. However, in the sun-lit islands of the West Indies, they haven’t lived up to their tag and are fighting for a berth in the final of the tri-series. To make matters worse, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury leaving the team without its calming influence on the park. In midst of all this, the selectors would meet on July 5 to pick a side for the limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe — which is scheduled for later this month.
The word going around is that the selectors are going to rest a few key players from the side. A sensible decision one would say as the players have been on the road for quite a while and a break is something they need. Earlier, there were murmurs that Virat Kohli could have been given a breather, but now the selectors may want to give him an extended stint as a captain as Dhoni’s injury pushed him into the role in the Caribbean. A report in the Indian Express suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav could be given a break.
Let us first have a look at the batting that could make the cut. India carried seven frontline batsmen (in the 15 member squad) to England and the Caribbean and they should retain the same combination. Here are the men who could make the cut: Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu. Gautam Gambhir is said to have a chance of making a comeback, but that should be possible only if the selectors drop Vijay. Rayudu should be given a chance as he has been consistent at the domestic level and was flown in as a replacement for Dhoni in the Caribbean.
Manoj Tiwary could have had a chance of making a comeback, but his luck continues to mar his progress as he is injured yet again. The selectors should also consider sending in the extra back-up batsman as they only had Vijay on the bench during the Champions Trophy. That is why Gambhir’s name would crop up as he can bring his experience into the side.
Ravindra Jadeja comes in at number seven as the all-rounder and adds tremendous value and depth to the side. But, India need the extra reserve batsman should there be another injury worry. How about Cheteshwar Pujara or an Ajinkya Rahane? They would be in the mix for India A’s tour to South Africa which will take place after the Zimbabwe series. Pujara has to be given a run in one-day cricket as he can provide solidity to an explosive and aggressive line-up. Robin Uthappa and Unmukt Chand may have outside chances as they had a good domestic one-day season.
If Ashwin is given a rest, it would be fascinating to see who comes in as his replacement. Pragyan Ojha can push his case again for the spinner’s spot in the team, but his chances of playing too often are bleak as Jadeja has firmly established himself as the left-arm spinner in the side. Amit Mishra will now start in a few games and the five ODIs should help him.
On the fast-bowling front, India can consider the likes of Parwinder Awana, Praveen Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun in case Umesh and Ishant are rested. R Vinay Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami Ahmed would hold on to their spots.
While this may be an opportunity for India to test a few players, they can ill-afford to take Zimbabwe lightly. The last time they toured the country in 2010 for a tri-series, they lost both their games to the hosts. Zimbabwe do pack a punch and can stun you on their day.
India’s probable squad for the tour to Zimbabwe: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami Ahmed, R Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Praveen Kumar.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
