India vs Australia: 5 Changes India could make for the 1st ODI
India was blanked 2-0 in the recently concluded T20I series by Australia. The result was a bolt from the blue with many fancying India to continue their T20I domination over the Aussies.
However, the hosts do have a chance to settle scores with the visitors as the ODI series follows close on the heels of the T20I series. The first instalment of the fifty over assignment begins on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
The squad for the ODI series consists of minor changes with Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav returning to the team. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav comes back into the picture after having had a couple of games off.
Thus, there are a myriad of team combinations the Indians can ponder over for the match on Saturday. Through this article, we would chalk out five such changes that the hosts might be contemplating.
Here is a look at them:
#5. Play Mohammed Shami
Arguably the most expected change that India might go through with is recalling Mohammed Shami. The pacer from Bengal performed admirably in Australia and New Zealand. However, his injury-prone nature meant that he needed to be rested for the T20I engagement.
Blessed with the ability to move the ball both ways, Shami proved to be a real handful on India’s trip Down Under. To supplement his new-ball exploits, he was adroit at the death as well and hit the yorkers with remarkable efficiency.
The pacer’s case for inclusion has also been aided by Umesh Yadav and Siddharth Kaul’s insipid displays during the T20Is. Both looked bereft of bowling ideas and let the team down when push came to shove.
Thus, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar not in the fray until the 3rd ODI, the Indians would be itching to bring back Shami to partner Jasprit Bumrah.
Hence, it is a tweak the team would make in all probability come Saturday.