One of the strengths of the Indian ODI team is the number of options that the captain has for each role. They have got three batsmen for the openers' slot, and there is an equally healthy fight for the middle order
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh turns one on the leg-side yesterday. Pic/PTI
Pune: One of the strengths of the Indian ODI team is the number of options that the captain has for each role. They have got three batsmen for the openers' slot, and there is an equally healthy fight for the middle order.
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Add to that the likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, and one possibly sees a strong and deep batting unit. And that's something head coach Anil Kumble is pleased with ahead of the ODI series against England which kicks off here on Sunday
Spoilt for choices
"It's nice to have these choices and there is competition for places in the team. And that's what you want in a team. You want healthy competition for all places. It all depends on the pitch and the surface and what we believe is the ideal combination," the head coach told media.
With Kumble declaring Ajinkya Rahane as a candidate for the opener's slot, along-with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan; the choices for the middle-order are down to two slots. The amount of batting Yuvraj Singh is getting in the nets, he looks more or less a certainty for one of those two slots. And it's also logical for the man from Punjab, who has been in good form in Ranji Trophy this season, to get all three games, once he was picked in the squad.
"It's a good competition that we have in the squad, with Yuvraj coming back into the team. We all know what he's capable of, both as a batsman and a bowler," Kumble said, dropping another hint that the senior left-hander is likely to play.
Pandey, Jadhav in the mix
The team management will have to pick between Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav. Jadhav proved to be useful with his quickish off-spin in the series against NZ few months back. At the same time, Pandey's heroics with the bat in Australia last year cannot be forgotten. It might be the most debated choice, if and when it is made.
And since this is India's only chance to play ODI cricket before the Champions Trophy in England in June 2017; the team management would do well to get their choices right.
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