Xtra Time Web Desk: All eyes will be on veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan as he goes out to open the batting for India along with captain Rohit Sharma in the first ODI against England at the Oval on Tuesday. The left hander had a long batting session at the optional practice session along with Ishan Kishan. Dhawan faced the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur who were all not part of the T20 squad.
After an impressive win over England in the T20 series, Rohit Sharma and co have their eyes set on the ODI series. With Virat Kohli unlikely to play in the ODI series opener due to a groin injury he suffered in the third T20I at Nottingham, it will be interesting who goes in a No 3.
As far as the batting order is concerned, it will be either Ishan or Rishabh Pant, who will bat at No 3 as in form Deepak Hooda is not part of ODI squad. Suryakumar Yadav will be preferred over Shreyas Iyer at No 4 followed by Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja at Nos 4, 5 and 6 respectively.
There is no doubt regarding the specialist spinner in the playing XI. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is set to feature once again ahead of Axar Patel.
As far as the bowling attack is concerned, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will spearhead the attack along with Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Siraj. Thakur holds an edge over Siraj because of his batting.
All the three pacers – Shami, Siraj and Shardul rolled their arms at the nets during the optional training session under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Let’s look at India’s probable playing XI for the first ODI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal