Under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, the Indian cricket team faces a crucial decision regarding their long-term wicketkeeper-batter for ODIs as they prepare to battle Sri Lanka in a three-match series starting on Friday. The spotlight will not only be on this key selection but also on the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, fresh off a recent T20 World Cup victory.
The team management is expected to prioritize resolving the wicketkeeper-batter dilemma between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant amidst the upcoming high-profile one-day events, including the Champions Trophy. Rahul, who has held the wicketkeeper-batter position since last year’s Asia Cup, has performed admirably, accumulating 834 runs in 21 ODIs with an average of 69.50 and two centuries. He has also shown proficiency behind the stumps and led India in the ODI series against South Africa earlier this year.
Pant, making his return to the squad after a severe accident in 2022, has shown promise in recent T20I appearances but has yet to deliver standout performances consistently. The decision on whether Pant’s recent improvements are sufficient to displace Rahul remains a significant consideration for Gambhir and his team.
Should Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma opt to include both Rahul and Pant in the playing XI, they will need to find a way to accommodate Shreyas Iyer, who has been impressive in the ODI format. Iyer’s recent performance includes a solid 52 against South Africa and a remarkable 846 runs in 20 matches this year, with three centuries to his name. Balancing the team’s composition might result in a three-way competition for two batting spots among Rahul, Pant, and Iyer, potentially leading India to rely on five bowlers if they include all three batsmen.
Given that Hardik Pandya is unavailable for this series due to personal reasons, India might explore options like Shivam Dube or Riyan Parag for the number six position. Parag’s role in the T20Is, including his bowling contributions, could signal a more significant role in the ODI series. His versatility in off-spin and leg-spin, coupled with his impressive domestic performance in the Deodhar Trophy, enhances his prospects. On the other hand, Dube, who last appeared in an ODI five years ago, had limited opportunities during the recent Sri Lanka series.
Gambhir will also be keenly observing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will be returning to ODI action following their disappointing loss to Australia in last year’s World Cup final. Both players will be eager to make a strong impression as they resume 50-over cricket.
Sri Lanka, featuring a blend of youth and experience, will aim to avoid the batting collapses that plagued them in the T20I series, despite some dominant periods. However, they will be missing key pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madhushanka due to injuries.
The teams for the series are as follows:
**India:** Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
**Sri Lanka:** Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Ehsan Malinga, Mohammed Shiraz, Asitha Fernando. Standbys: Kusal Janith, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay.
The first match will begin at 2:30 PM IST.
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