Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 4th ODI: India’s Predicted XI

Jan 9, 2019 at 4:02 PM

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Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 4th ODI: India’s Predicted XI

Experimenting.

This one word has been the most used one in the Indian camp throughout the ODI series so far. Skipper Virat Kohli has mentioned it on more than one occasion but has seldom changed his playing XI. Now that the series officially sealed in India’s favour, it only makes sense for the Indian captain to alter his side, in a bid to test the bench strength. Not that all the regular members have justified their spots in the first choice XI.

Colombo has been traditionally a slow wicket, which assists the batsmen in the first half of the game. Chasing out at the RPS in Colombo has always been a tedious task, and for a change, India must bat first at any given cost.

One can expect a few changes to the Indian playing XI, and below we have a look at the predicted Indian XI for the fourth ODI.

  1. Rohit Sharma:
Rohit Sharma. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Fresh from a breathtaking match-winning ton, Sharma will be eager to make it two out of two now. He has looked flawless in the last couple of outings with his elegant strokes and subtle timing of the ball. On a deck that assists batting tremendously, it wouldn’t be a surprise if another Hitman special is on the cards.

  1. Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Dhawan might have missed out in the previous game, and that would go down as his first single digit score on tour. Like Rohit, Shikhar too will be all geared up at Colombo, as the surface is ideal for batting. Adding to that, India batting first will further enable Shikhar to play his natural game.

  1. Virat Kohli (c):
Virat Kohli. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

The shot which the Indian skipper played to get out was a well set as he flicked the balls straight to the only fielder stationed at fine leg. Having made two low scores now in succession, Kohli will be a restless individual, eager to rectify the shortcomings. He plays at a venue now, where he has scored a ton in the past.

  1. Manish Pandey:
Manish Pandey. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

KL Rahul wasted two precious opportunities in the middle-order, and knowing how intense the competition for that slot is, it was a sin from Rahul. Ideally, Pandey should walk his way back into the playing XI, as his recent form has been superb, to say the least. A candidate who has already impressed at number four in limited opportunities, Pandey should grab this chance with both hands.

  1. MS Dhoni (wk):
MS Dhoni. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Twice in two games now, Dhoni has been the umbrella man for India, rescuing the team out of trouble with his ever calm and composed approach. It’s been a while since fans saw Dhoni being out there in his element and finishing with a flurry. The next game could well prove out to be that instance.

  1. Kedar Jadhav:
Kedar Jadhav. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Two single digits score in a row now, and Kedar Jadhav will be a worried man. Even though he continues to make contributions as a wicket taking option being a part timer, Jadhav’s primary role is to be a finisher and a stabiliser if the situation demands. Another failure and his spot could be in danger for the Australia series, considering Suresh Raina is a candidate for that role as well.

  1. Hardik Pandya:
Hardik Pandya. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

The all-rounder has enjoyed his outing in Sri Lanka on this tour so far and didn’t get to bat in the previous game. As a bowler, Pandya has been profusely impressive, picking up a wicket or two on each occasion in the all important middle overs.

  1. Axar Patel:
Axar Patel. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

It has been an absolutely breakthrough series for Axar Patel, as apart from being miserly with the ball, he has also been among the wickets consistently. As a spinner, Axar has done nothing wrong to be overlooked for India’s future assignments, and his competition with Ravindra Jadeja for that slot of the second spinner will be an interesting one.

  1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

The surface below Kumar’s feets is getting hotter with every passing outing. Beginning from the Caribbean, his last four outings with the new ball have been extremely terrible, as he has been wicketless throughout. It’s high time that Kumar makes that new ball count, else his spot could be taken by Mohammad Shami or Umesh Yadav.

  1. Kuldeep Yadav:
Kuldeep Yadav. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

With India winning the series comprehensively already, it only makes sense to recall the crafty chinaman for the remaining games. Kuldeep made a name for himself in the West Indies, as he outbowled India’s first choice spinners. It’s time to have him back in the scheme of things.

  1. Jasprit Bumrah:
Jasprit Bumrah. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

For Bumrah, this series so far has turned out to be a turning point in his career, as the Gujarat pacer has slowly established himself into a wicket taking option with the new ball. The Man of the Match of the previous game will be upbeat for another decent outing in the middle.

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