After the 2023 World Cup, Team India is expected to shift their focus away from the ODI format. With the T20 World Cup approaching, the team will likely prioritize their white-ball resources towards that event.
India has announced a squad of backup players for the upcoming three ODIs against South Africa. This series will run parallel to a few red-ball matches, including an intra-squad game involving most of the touring team.
The squad saw a few new faces, like B Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar who hadn’t played internationally before. However, the selectors’ decisions were met with some disagreement.
These 3 players from India are among the fortunate ones who made it into the team for the ODI series against South Africa.
3. Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar seems like an excellent ODI asset. With only 13 games played and 203 runs and 16 wickets, the all-rounder’s career start has been mediocre. The two biggest things going for him are his powerplay danger and batting prowess.
Yet, nearly a year passed since Chahar participated in an ODI. His role in the World Cup was non-existent. With the long term in focus now, shouldn’t India consider younger players? They might be the team’s backbone in future years.
Most importantly, Chahar’s fitness has failed him on several times recently. There are indications that even the shortest version of the game may be harmful to his frail physique, and playing him in 50-over cricket may not be the best option for all parties concerned.
2. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh has participated in merely three One Day Internationals, claiming no wickets and holding an economy rate of 6.76. Over a year elapsed since he played for the Men in Blue, another individual sidelined by selectors during the World Cup preparations.
Despite the presence of numerous other potential fast bowlers in local white-ball cricket, like Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, and Yash Thakur, Arshdeep has earned a spot in the ODI squad. The left-hander has been in dismal form recently, with both consistency and intelligence failing him on several occasions.
Arshdeep, unlike Chahar, has many years left at the highest level, so it’s logical that India wants to capitalize on his evident potential. However, there are several more suitable names that may have been considered.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal was a late withdrawal from Team India’s World Cup roster, with the Men in Blue deciding to bolster bench depth by selecting more players in the fast-bowling and batting departments.
Chahal was supposed to gradually disappear from the ODI picture following the snub. For the best part of four years, the leg-spinner had produced lackluster results, and it appeared that India should switch to a bowler more adapted to the demands of the contemporary game.
Chahal is back in the ODI team today, though, most likely to provide cover for the excellent Kuldeep Yadav. Although there aren’t many leg-spin alternatives in India, players like Rahul Chahar have shown they can bowl 50 overs in the local league.
Chahal, who has just played two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2023, should count himself lucky to be part of India’s selection for the South Africa series.