The orphans of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODIs are something of debate, but in any case, they are set to board the plane to Australia for the three ODIs starting from October 19 at Perth, with the national selectors being compelled to make a few changes in the Indian squad, either due to fitness issues or workload management concerns.
The selectors are most likely to sit for the finalisation of the squads on Saturday itself-i.e., just the third day of the ongoing first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad. However, clarity is still not available as to when exactly the announcement of the squads will be made.
Now Hardik Pandya, who is suffering from the quadriceps injury, is definitely out of action, and Rishabh Pant, who is still on his feet through that fractured one, will also be unavailable. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, who is playing the Asia Cup for the first time in a matter of days and now two Tests, will also need to watch his body. The sensible thing would be to ask him to rest in the ODIs or even the T20s or in both!
Both Rohit and Kohli kept themselves working hard after a seven-month absence from international cricket since the Champions Trophy in March.
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While Kohli did make a hundred against Pakistan and top-scored in the semi-final against Australia, Rohit brushed past his trough to deliver a match-winning performance against New Zealand in the final.
In case of Bumrah, he is needed in both Tests against World Champions South Africa even if medical and the player decide to opt out of the Delhi game against the West Indies, which is still unclear.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said that he has made himself available for both the games against West Indies.
But logically, having played the Asia Cup and now two Tests, a three-week break before another tough Test assignment followed by the T20I series in the run-up to the T20 World Cup will make a strong case for offering Bumrah a break from the entire white ball series Down Under, inclusive of heavy travel.
Among fast bowlers who look sure-shot selections are Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh. Akashdeep has bowled well in the recent Irani Cup game, while there is Khaleel Ahmed, who has been a decent performer for India.
If the Test at the Ferozshah Kotla stretch to the distance — up to October 14 — then Gill fatigue must factor in.
Gill has been the ODi Vice-Captain as per the last squad announcement i.e. for the Champions Trophy. But obviously with so many international games with so little turnaround time, the national selectors might want to think about Gill’s workload and travel as well.
Between the 2nd and 3rd ODI at Adelaide and Sydney, a single day’s gap exists and that itself is a travel day.
Similarly, there is a single day’s gap between the 1st and 2nd, and the 4th and 5th, T20I as well.
In case Gill is rested for the ODIs, then it will be a selection between two left-handers, Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, for Rohit’s opening partner.
Abhishek was inducted for two List A matches against Australia A for exactly this reason. His leftarm spin bowling and his current form make him pro-rata with Jaiswal.
