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As India gears up for the upcoming bilateral ODI series against England and the prestigious Champions Trophy in February, selectors face a challenging task. With only six ODIs played since the 2023 World Cup, the team has seen limited international cricket in 2024. This lack of recent form and game time makes squad selection a difficult task, especially with numerous new faces and returning veterans to consider.
- Limited ODI action since the 2023 World Cup complicates squad selection.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s potential inclusion as an opener for India remains uncertain.
- Ravindra Jadeja’s future in ODIs is in doubt, with increased competition for allrounder roles.
The selectors are also focused on India’s changing dynamics across all formats, with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. With the T20 squad revamped and the Test team transitioning, the makeup of the ODI squad is crucial. Key decisions will be based not just on recent form, but also on fitness and potential for future success.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Should He Open in ODIs?
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been one of the standout players in India’s recent cricketing journey. Though he has excelled in Test matches and T20s, the question remains whether he should be included as an opener in ODIs. India’s top-order currently features Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, both of whom have solidified their spots after strong performances in the 2023 World Cup.
Jaiswal’s case is compelling. His domestic numbers in 50-over cricket are impressive, with 1,511 runs, an average of 54, and a strike rate of 86.19 across 32 innings. His five centuries and seven fifties reflect his consistency and potential. If included, Jaiswal would bring a left-handed option at the top of the order, which could offer a new dynamic to India’s opening partnership.
However, Ruturaj Gaikwad, B Sai Sudharsan, and Rajat Patidar have all been trialed as openers in the past. As Rohit is expected to continue leading the squad, the position of second opener remains up for grabs. Jaiswal could be the ideal replacement if India aims to add diversity to their batting lineup.
Ravindra Jadeja: Is He Still Relevant in ODIs?
Since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t played an ODI. His last appearance was integral to India’s middle-order in the World Cup, where he played a crucial role following Hardik Pandya’s injury. However, with the rise of other allrounders like Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar, Jadeja’s spot in the team is not guaranteed.
While Jadeja’s legacy in the shorter formats is undeniable, the competition for allrounder positions has intensified. In the absence of Jadeja in the South Africa and Sri Lanka series, younger talents like Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube got their chances. As a bowler and a batter, Jadeja’s versatility is still valuable, but his place will be determined by his fitness and the team’s requirements for balance.
The return of Hardik Pandya is also a factor. Having proven his fitness in domestic cricket, Hardik’s allround capabilities could be enough to cover the roles once filled by Jadeja. Hence, the selectors must evaluate the team’s needs carefully, weighing the experience of Jadeja against the potential of younger allrounders.
Wicketkeeper Dilemma: Who Should Be the Backup?
KL Rahul is expected to retain his position as India’s primary wicketkeeper after his solid performance in the 2023 World Cup. However, the battle for the backup wicketkeeper spot is more complicated. Sanju Samson, who served as the backup during the South Africa ODIs, could be in contention, though his omission from the Sri Lanka series raised questions.
Rishabh Pant‘s return from injury has added another layer of complexity. He was a part of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 winning squad and has been a reliable option in the past. Pant’s aggressive batting and leadership skills could make him a preferred choice over Samson in certain scenarios. However, Pant’s only ODI appearance since returning to fitness was against Sri Lanka, where he struggled with just six runs.
While Samson scored a century in India’s last ODI against South Africa, his omission from the Sri Lanka squad indicates that the management has other plans. Whether Pant or Samson plays as the second wicketkeeper will depend on the team’s strategy for the upcoming series.
Fast Bowlers: Bumrah, Shami, and the Battle for Fitness
The fitness of India’s pace attack is critical to the squad’s success in the upcoming series. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were pivotal to India’s journey to the 2023 World Cup final, but both have faced injury setbacks. Bumrah has not played since the Sydney Test in January 2024, and his fitness remains uncertain.
Shami, recovering from ankle surgery, has also been struggling with a knee issue. His return to fitness will be a key factor in India’s fast bowling strength. Shami’s performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could determine his place in the squad, assuming he is fit and ready for international cricket.
However, Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a strong contender. The left-arm pacer was the Player of the Series in the ODI series against South Africa, taking 10 wickets in three matches. His ability to swing the ball and take key wickets could make him a valuable addition to India’s pace attack alongside Siraj and Hardik Pandya.
Spin Options: Who Will Lead India’s Spin Attack?
India’s spin department also faces uncertainty. Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, has been sidelined due to injury and hasn’t played since October 2024. If Kuldeep is fit in time, he could prove crucial to India’s spin attack in England. However, if he isn’t available, the team will rely on other spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
Jadeja remains a strong option due to his experience and allround abilities. He has consistently proven himself as a reliable bowler in limited-overs cricket, offering control in the middle overs. Axar Patel, with his left-arm orthodox spin, is another solid option, having displayed his skills in various international matches.
A surprise contender could be Varun Chakravarthy, who has been impressive in domestic cricket, especially in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has also been India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is, showing his potential to contribute in both formats.
Emerging Seamers: Nitish Reddy and Others
With the competition for allrounder spots heating up, Nitish Kumar Reddy could be a surprise inclusion in India’s ODI squad. Though he struggled as a bowler in the 2024 Australia Tests, Reddy’s batting form was solid. He could be considered as a potential allrounder to provide depth to India’s seam-bowling attack.
Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana also remain in the mix. While Mukesh has been a regular in the ODI setup, Prasidh Krishna offers a tall, fast-bowling option. Both could be valuable additions to the squad depending on their form in domestic cricket leading up to the series.
India’s fast-bowling depth remains an asset, but selectors will need to balance experience with youth as they make crucial decisions for the upcoming matches.
A Crucial ODI Selection Process Ahead
As India prepares for crucial ODI series and the Champions Trophy, selectors have their work cut out for them. With multiple positions up for grabs, the upcoming series could shape the direction of India’s ODI squad for the next few years. From the potential inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal to the fitness concerns surrounding key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, the decisions made in the coming weeks will have lasting impacts.
India’s squad will need to strike the right balance between experience and youth, form and fitness, to continue their success in international cricket.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
