Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian cricket team will begin its preparations for the 50 over World Cup later this year starting with the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. It is a near full strength squad for the hosts going into the three match ODI series. All the big guns are back with the exception of Ravindra Jadeja who in all likelihood will be back for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Captain Rohit Sharma will have plenty of options at his disposal before picking the playing XI. The most heartening aspect will be to see the return of Jasprit Bumrah. The premier pacer will be back in Indian squad after recovering from injury along with Mohammed Shami. It will be interesting if both the senior fast bowlers are included in the playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka. It will then see young pace trio of Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj fighting for a spot for the third seamer.
Another big selection headache will be the opening partner for Rohit Sharma. There are three options with the Indian team management with the likes of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul. The left hander seems to the frontrunner after he smashed the quickest double century in Bangladesh. Shubman Gill also has a fair case as he averages above 55 in 15 ODIs. If it comes to having a solidity at the top, the cricketer from Punjab has a better chance. But Ishan Kishan gives the team management an option of right- and left-hand combination at the top.
It will be interesting to see who takes the No 4 slot in batting order. With Virat Kohli back in the side, either of the two best batters in white ball formats – Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer will have to sit out. Suryakumar, who is the No 1 batter in World at the moment in T20 cricket will have a stiff challenge from his Mumbai teammate. Shreyas was the highest scorer for India in ODIs in 2022.
He amassed 724 runs in 15 innings.
Finally talking about spinners – Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel will be the options for Rohit Sharma in the ODI series.
India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.