Rohit Sharma named skipper,as kohli rested for Srilanka ODI series

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli will be rested for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.Rohit Sharma, who made a century in the second test, was earlier announced as vice-captain of the ODI side and will now get a chance to lead the side.Hardik Pandya, India’s new sensation returns to the squad to fill up the all-rounder position after enjoying a break during test series.

Since IPL, Kohli has been consistently playing cricket without taking a break.He is the only Indian player to have played in excess of 100 International matches since January 2015.Ahead of the Test series against Lanka, Virat said:”Definitely I do need a rest..why not?I’ll ask for it when I feel my body needs to take a break from cricket.I am not a robot, you can slice my skin and check, I bleed”.(Even Superheroes like Superman bleeds, then why not a human).Jokes apart, the leading run-getter in International cricket in 2017 will finally get a much-needed break.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit will be the regular openers.Also, Rahane gets a chance as a third opener owing to his splendid performance in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.The middle-order is strongly balanced by limited- overs regulars Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni & the likes of  Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav as well.

Young Turk Shreyas Iyer gets another opportunity to impress the selectors & Siddharth Kaul also earns his maiden ODI call-up.Ashwin & Jadeja yet again miss out to make to the squad with MSK-Prasad led panel feeling happy with the trio of Chahal, Kuldeep & Axar .Bhuvaneshwar Kumar & Jasprit Bumrah will be the pace spearheads as usual.Rahul, Shami&Umesh were the others to miss out on selection.

India will play three ODI’s & three T20’s against Sri Lanka before travelling to South Africa.However, the first and second ODI, which was supposed to start at 1:30 PM will start at 11;30 AM due to the prevailing cold weather in Dharamsala & Mohali.

ODI squad:Rohit Sharma(captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni(wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah,Bhuvaneshwar Kumar,Yuzvendra Chahal,Siddharth kaul.

 

 

Follow the Blues

Preview:-

After an emphatic series win over Australia & Newzealand in limited overs format, Virat Kohli & co will look to extend their dominance against the Lankan lions, probably the wounded lions.The action now shifts from limited overs format to red-ball contest, while Ind looks to finish their home season on high.

India, clearly with no doubt starts the series as favourites and yet, they must not take their opponents lightly.Last time these two team played, not so long as we know, Srilanka as a host didn’t even try to put Ind under pressure.Also, this resulting in a complete 9-0 series whitewash was not a surprising one at all.This Ghosts of past haunts them making difficult for Srilanka to forget this nightmare.

Srilanka, on the other hand, has just beaten Pakistan 2-0 in Middle-East but playing Ind in its home is as like as playing against lion in its own den.

Stats so far…

Srilanka has never won a test match in the past despite having stronger team lineup.In the last 13 years, only two teams have won a series in India.Former Srilankan player and world/s highest wicket-taker Muralitharan also expressed his views on the current Srilankan team and their slim chances of beating India.

What to look out for….Srilanka:-

Srilanka, currently ranked 6th in ICC test rankings have arrived in India with the dream of winning the series.They have a champion spinner Rangana Herath and also young and rejuvenated side led by Dinesh Chandimal.Last time, Srilanka toured India was a long way back in 2009 and the squads have completely changed for both Ind & Srl except the very few..But Ind’s lineup looks strong on paper compared to Lankans.But, who would have thought that Srilanka would create an upset by beating India in Champions Trophy in 2017. Yes, cricket is a funny & cruel game and history of this sport is full of unexpected results emerging from favourites & underdogs.So, Chandimal & co would believe that this is the right time to show that there is some fuel in their tanks too.

KeyPlayers:Dinesh Chandimal,Angelo Mathews,Ranagana Herath

X-Factor: Lahiru Thirimanne,Dimith Karunaratne,Suranga Lakmal

If Srilanka needs to create a record by winning the series, their key players especially Herath needs to step up, as for winning a test match, your bowler needs to take 20 wickets is what Kohli believes in.Mathews walking into the side as a mere batsman & not as a bowling option owing to his injuries adds further fuel to the fire.

What to look out for …India:-

India, currently ranked No:1 side sits pretty in the driver’s seat, enjoying the luxury of host team in their favourable conditions as clear favourites…The stats too prove that Virat & co have been at their extreme potential, winning nine, drawing two and losing just one of the 13 tests in the home season.Also, Ind fans are overwhelmed with joy to welcome their favourite spin duo -Ash & Jaddu, who lastly represented for India in champions trophy in June 2017.This duo has proved to be a match-winning option for India in many matches after Kumble-Bhajji combo.

Squad(for 1st & 2nd test): Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Saha(wk),Ravichandran Ashwin,Ravindra Jadeja,Kuldeep Yadav,Umesh Yadav,Ishant Sharma,Bhuvaneshwar Kumar,Mohd Shami.

Who will fill Pandya’s  place..?

The sudden decision by the selectors opting out Hardik Pandya giving him a break(rest) has left a void gap for Ind’s No;6 positions.The absence of all-rounder has made India try different combinations such as a third bowler or rope in another batsman.Considering the green surface at Eden, Bhuvi would be an ideal choice for his swing bowling also not forget his vital contribution with the bat in England & also supporting Dhoni during his splendid 224 in Chennai.If not, another choice would be to try Rohit as he has a good love affair with this Kolkota ground.

My view is to try in extra bowler as Ind’s batting order looks sturdy but we don’t know what is in the minds of Shastri & Vk.

Who will open…?

Will it be KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan or Murali Vijay opening for India?Vijay, being the third -highest run-getter in the home season and test specialist batsman will be an ideal & straight-forward choice for opening.But who will accompany him is the big debate going on between the team management.Dhawan was brought to the Srilankan tour as a replacement for the injured Vijay.But he utilised his opportunity giving a comeback by scoring two hundred making the job tough for the selectors.KL Rahul, on the other hand also kept himself in contention with consistent run of form scoring seven consecutive 50’s & if he gets a chance and scores one at Kolkota too, it will be a new record.

So, Ind would likely open with Vijay & Rahul.

Conclusion:-

Will it be a sweet revenge or complete surrender for Srilanka as they face highly determined No;1 side led by Captain Fearless.The spectators would be having many thoughts in their mind such as “Will Virat score his 50th International hundred?”Will Ash &Jaddu make a strong comeback and many more……Despite Srilanka’s good performance against Pakistan, we can predict by our own instincts that this series is going to be a dead rubber contest until some miracles happen.The only doubt is that whether Srilanka can salvage some pride by avoiding Innings defeat or surrender to a complete whitewash.

Will the wounded lions show some resilience or will it be all blues flaunting over?Stay tuned as both teams lock horns in Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 16th November.#Bleed Blue.#Vk’s Mission No:1.

 

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