The more recent turn of events regarding the Indian ODI team has been quite dramatic. The selection committee for BCCI decided against sending injured Jasprit Bumrah to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy since he believed it to be a catch-22 situation. Harshit Rana was the cut-out replacement to have his debut in ODIs against England. In fact, as a surprising icing on the cake for this Indian cricketing spectrum, opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped for mystery spinner Vaun Chakravarthy on account of the sloppy spin bowling performances by Chakravarthy against England’s T20I assignment.
The changes in the Indian squad for the ICC event have been openly questioned over social media, especially in light of some of the more recent events. Jaiswal had opened with Rohit in the first ODI against England, but he was not in for Virat Kohli, who missed out due to injury. The Indian think tank had preferred Jinjaswal over Shreyas Iyer, but when Shreyas Iyer knocked a quick fifty in the match at that point, it was entirely restructured.
And while Chakravarthy was forthcoming with his inclusion, the one who paid the price for it also looks ahead: Jaiswal also has cemented himself as a reserve in the global event.
Jaiswal is among the reserves that do not travel along with Shivam Dube (a like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya) and Mohammed Siraj, who could replace a fumbling Mohammad Shami.
The inclusion of Harshit and Chakravarthy, however, does hint at the kind of power head coach Gautam Gambhir holds in the selection meeting at present. The PTI report states that the two choices in this Champions Trophy squad were calls made on Gambhir’s recommendations, names from the agglomeration of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL.
Very successful in his T20Is, Chakravarthy made his One Day International debut on the back of that T20 form, and the KKR bowler is a personal favourite of head coach Gambhir.
Now the team heads for the Champions Trophy with five spinners in the squad. While only three will play at once, those with a fond wish for Nihal will be worried if there was a back-up for the batting unit.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are going to open the innings for India, and there isn’t a back-up; unless KL Rahul floats and fills any gaps. Rishabh Pant in the middle-order is the only other back-up, provided management sticks with the same XI that played in the second ODI against England in Cuttack.
The selection committee could have included Chakravarthy in place of Washington Sundar, who has not played yet in the England ODI series. But he also seems to be enjoying coach Gambhir’s full backing.
