Former Vice Captain of Team India KL Rahul Will face a tough fight to get into the playing XI for the first ODI on Tuesday (January 10) as India take on Sri Lanka. The encounter at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati could see some unexpected team selections as KL Rahul may have to sit out as Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are in top form while Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma And hardik pandya Remain the untouchable option in the team.
Will Rahul sit outside?
Tuesday will be the first monthly anniversary of Ishan Kishan’s double hundred against Bangladesh where he was seen in devastating form. With Ishan scoring a double century of 210 in that match, there is little chance that he will be ruled out of the first ODI against Sri Lanka. This would also mean that Ishan will pair with Rohit Sharma in the opener’s slot and hence will be limited Shubman Gill To the bench
On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav will also be the top contender to be a part of the playing XI as he is enjoying the form of his life. In fact, Surya scored a century in the final T20I against Sri Lanka in Rajkot on Saturday, making him a contender for the playing XI. This would mean that KL Rahul will clash with Shreyas Iyer to be a part of the playing XI. Shreyas scored 82 in the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh and was part of the set-up for a long time.
Will key factors work against Rahul?
As things stand, the selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are looking to plan for the future where Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul face an uncertain future in the shortest format. Rahul is not being seen as a future long-term option while Ishan Kishan is already the wicket-keeper option in the starting line-up for the country.
Team Selection Factors
form
wicketkeeper substitute
ODI World Cup
long term plan
Whereas the ODI World Cup is something where experience will come in handy and Rahul can be given an entry into the team. But a lot will depend on the form of the players in contention and if Rahul, who is enjoying a torrid run, fails to reach the World Cup, he could be out of the team.
It remains to be seen who makes the playing XI on Tuesday with the first ODI set to begin at 1:30 PM at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
India’s updated squad for Sri Lanka ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep YadavAkshar Patel, jasprit bumrah, Mo. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.