The Indian cricket team prepares for a pivotal 3-match ODI contest with South Africa, starting December 17th. Though overshadowed by more prestigious formats, these matches let India evaluate new talent. Most players boast scant international experience, if any.
After embarrassment last year, India eyes revenge. South Africa dominated them 3-0 in 2022. Now, India wants to flip the script and secure their first ODI series win on South African soil. It won’t be easy versus skilled, familiar foes. But fresh faces inject energy to help India write a new chapter.
The forthcoming series will be the first ODI experience for players like Sai Sudharshan, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, and Akash Deep. Tilak Varma and Mukesh Kumar, for example, are relatively fresh additions to the team.
Choosing the starting XI for the match would be difficult for skipper KL Rahul. Some positions on the squad have clear choices, but others have numerous real contenders who must be resolved. Top-order hitters Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar are one such example.
On that vein, let us look at who among Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharsan should make their India debut in the opening ODI against South Africa.
1. Form
Both Patidar and Sudharsan were called up as a result of a strong run of form. Both hitters have been outstanding recently and have been among the top scorers on the domestic circuit.
Rajat Patidar made his long-awaited comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which were both held lately. The right-handed hitter had a productive List A season for Madhya Pradesh, hitting four fifties in six matches while missing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 due to a heel ailment.
After 25 matches, Sudharsan, who made his List A debut in 2021, now has an average of 60. He started his historic year in the IPL, filling in for the Gujarat Titans (GT) at No. 3 while Kane Williamson was out.
He also played for India A in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup. He opened Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with a magnificent century against Goa, but he only scored 56 runs in his following four innings.
Sudarshan did not play in the knockout matches, though he had been named for the unofficial Test matches against South Africa A. Batting opener, he scored 14 runs before the contest concluded in a draw.
2. Skillset
Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharsan are guys who radiate quality and have the potential to be true top-order batsmen in all forms. Despite the present frantic nature of the game, the tandem maintains a decent scoring rate while maintaining their hitting approach.
With their class, both hitters have previously achieved success on a big stage like the IPL, and their style of play is ideal for the 50-over format. They are terrific players of pace and spin, and they rotate strike efficiently.
So far, the venues in South Africa have aided turn, and having great technical players would be critical for India. They can neutralize the pace and bounce off the surfaces since they are also good against fast bowling.
3. Team’s need of the hour
It seems crazy to consider, but Team India will be bereft of true opening batsmen in the ODI series. With Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all focused on the Test series, India will need to deploy a fresh opening combination in the forthcoming series.
With KL Rahul also earmarked and slated for a middle-order position, the only plausible and feasible combo is Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharshan.
There is also a slim chance that both Patidar and Sudharsan will be included in the playing XI for the first ODI. To begin, with Ruturaj Gaikwad still missing due to sickness, India might go with the left-hand-right-hand combo of Patidar and Sudharsan at the top in the lack of any other opening batters.
Rajat Patidar usually bats in the middle order, but he started for Madhya Pradesh in their Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph over Nagaland, making an undefeated 70 runs off just 27 deliveries.
Second, even if Gaikwad is at the top, Rajat Patidar can still be in the middle rank, despite the fact that there is already a crowd waiting for a chance. There is just one actual opening in the middle order, with Shreyas and Rahul filling the first two positions. Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar are the most likely candidates.
