India takes on Sri Lanka in a 3-match One Day International series with the 1st ODI slated to take place on Sunday at Dharamsala. Regular captain Virat Kohli will not be leading the side as he has been approved leaves, hence Rohit Sharma will be the stand-in skipper. Rohit Sharma has led Mumbai Indians and hence comes in with some experience of captaincy. As Virat Kohli suggested, team India is looking at the Sri Lanka series as a practise pad for the much-awaited South Africa series.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma hints Shreyas Iyer’s debut against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala ODI — WATCH
Virat Kohli tried a few experiments in the Test series, which more or less paid off, the Rohit Sharma experiment.
Is there anything that @msdhoni cannot do? You have seen him bowl leg spin now it is time for seam up. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/8WLuKnyyE5
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2017
With under 24 hours to go for the start of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka, these are the 3 experiments team India can try:
Shreyas Iyer plays 3: Iyer has been scoring runs at a premium in the domestic circuit and that has earned him a selection in the squad. But now, with Rohit Sharma in his press conference hinting that new players should be given more exposure, Iyer stands a good chance of making his ODI debut. He is a pure batsman and can easily bat at number 3, Virat Kohli’s position. Number 3 would give him time to settle in and then take it from there. If he gets some runs at that spot, it would do his confidence a world of good.
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni shows his lethal bowling skills ahead of 1st ODI against Sri Lanka – Watch video
Rahane gets among runs: After a dismal Test series, it is Rahane’s last chance to get some runs and confidence under his belt before boarding the South Africa bound flight. Rahane has a total of 17 runs in 5 innings, which is disgraceful for a player of Rahane’s stature. The ODI series is Rahane’s opportunity and he it seems is just one knock away from hitting good form, which would be a plus for India ahead of the testing Africa series.
Will Sidharth Kaul get a game?
.@sidkaul22 on his reaction when he got the India call up ahead of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/bYFCZDMpIU
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2017
Chahal-Kuldeep gets a long run: By long run I mean, they should play all the matches, so that they adjust when it comes to bowling as a pair. The better they understand each other’s game the better it will be for India. Tinkering with the spinning duo could dent their confidence, something no Indian fan would want ahead of the South Africa series.
MSD plays 4, groom Hardik as finisher: Time and again cricket analysts have reckoned MS Dhoni should bat at number 4, but he prefers coming in late and finishing innings. With MS Dhoni at the twilight of his career, it is time India looks beyond Dhoni as a finisher. Hardik Pandya could be the floater and finisher, a role MS Dhoni has done successfully for years.
