Xtra Time Web Desk: All eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin as they make a return to the playing XI for the first ODI against Australia at Mohali on Friday, September 22. Shreyas briefly participated in India’s first two group league games in recently concluded Asia Cup games in Pallekele, while Ashwin has only played two ODIs in the past six years.
It is crucial for the Indian team to assess Iyer’s fitness, especially since he had to sit out the Super 4 game in Colombo due to back spasms — more so because he is part of the World Cup squad. The team management is keen to test his readiness. Captain Rohit Sharma recently stated that Iyer is 99 percent ready.
As far as Ashwin is concerned, 37-year-old boasts of a wealth of experience with 113 ODIs under his belt, including India’s victorious 2011 World Cup campaign. Despite having played only two ODIs in the last six years, he remains an asset to the team. According to Head Coach Rahul Dravid, the spinner of Ashwin’s calibre cannot be on trial and has always in scheme of things if there is an injury issue in the team. The upcoming two ODIs will provide Ashwin a perfect platform to stake his claim in the World Cup squad, provided Axar Patel is not fit.
Another cricketer on whom the spotlight will be on is Suryakumar Yadav. Sky’s ODI record hasn’t matched his Twenty20 performances, raising questions about his suitability for the format. However, he is set to be tried in the three ODIs, with no concerns about being excluded from the World Cup squad.
With Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being rested, the Indian team management is likely to send in-form batters Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan to open the batting followed by Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav. Standing captain KL Rahul will go in at No 5 followed by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. There is a possibility Mohammed Siraj might be rested to give game time to Mohammed Shami. Shardul Thakur too will get an opportunity in the playing XI.
Here is the likely playing XI for India: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (capt, wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj/Shardul Thakur & Jasprit Bumrah.