The Indian national cricket team has just five competitive ODI matches left before the upcoming World Cup. Ravi Shastri, the Indian head coach, recently spoke about the squad of that series. He revealed that they would try to give the crucial rest to some regular players in that series.
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will begin on 30 May in England & Wales. Two-time World Cup champions India is one of the top favourite sides for this tournament. While India has only a few ODIs left before that big tournament, they are focusing these matches as their final preparation for the World Cup.
After the end of the five-match ODI series in New Zealand, India will now have only ODI series before the World Cup. In March, India will host a five-match ODI series against Australia. The host side wants to give the essential rests to some regular players in that series. Meanwhile, the team management also wants to check out some positions for the final time.
Mohammed Shami is in need of a rest
At the end of the ODI series in New Zealand, Ravi Shastri hinted that they could give the rest to the pacers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. On the other hand, he also claimed that another pacer Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to the national squad during that series. After the four-match Test series in Australia, Jasprit Bumrah didn’t feature in the consecutive ODI series in Australia and New Zealand, and he’s also not included in the T20I squad for the upcoming series in New Zealand.
Ravi Shastri said at Star Sports, “Yes, we have talked regarding this with the selectors. We will try to give rest to some of our players for the Australia series. Mohammed Shami is also in need of a rest. However, Jasprit Bumrah is going to be back. We will also keep an eye on Bhuvneshwar Kumar so that we can rest him whenever needed.”
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan also can get rest
The in-form limited-overs openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan may also take rests from the next home ODI series. Ravi Shastri added that it would be a better opportunity for them to give chances to other players.
The Indian head coach added, “Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been playing continuously and they have to play regularly in the coming time. Consequently, we can give chances to other players. This would be the last opportunity for us to test the bench strength.”
The Indian skipper Virat Kohli is likely to return to the squad. After the first three ODIs in the ongoing New Zealand tour, the Indian captain has taken rest from that remaining tour.
The full schedule of five-match ODI series between the hosts India and the visitors Australia
2 March: First ODI – Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (Hyderabad)
5 March: Second ODI – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium (Nagpur)
8 March: Third ODI – JSCA International Stadium Complex (Ranchi)
10 March: Fourth ODI – Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium (Mohali)
13 March: Fifth ODI – Feroz Shah Kotla Ground (Delhi)