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Team India management chose to omit Ishan Kishan from the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and despite their massive 3-0 whitewash of the series, questions were raised about his omission from the Playing XI. This happened despite the wicketkeeper-batter scoring the fastest double hundred in the history of ODIs, against Bangladesh in the preceding series.
Having stirred debate on the same, Kishan is touted to return to the Playing XI, but in a different batting position when the two sides face off in a stern battle in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 18.
Ishan debate rages on
Kishan has batted in the middle order thrice in the 10 ODIs that he has played, therefore the adjustment should not be an issue. His return to the Playing XI will be boosted by the unfortunate injury of Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a back injury during the third ODI against Sri Lanka, and will be travelling to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for his rehabilitation. But given the great form of Shubman Gill, the batter will have to settle for a middle-order spot instead of his preferred opening slot.
Gill was rewarded for his consistency and picked ahead of Ishan to open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the Sri Lanka series. He made the most of this opportunity after scoring 70, 21 and 116 in the three matches.
KS Bharat — the second wicketkeeper in the squad — is likely to warm the bench, acting as a cover for the absent KL Rahul.
The big takeaways for India from the Sri Lanka series was the performance of the top three as well as Mohammed Siraj's ability to pick up wickets with the new ball. Like Gill and Virat Kohli, Rohit also looked in sublime touch with scores of 83 and 42 but would like to get a hundred, something that has eluded him for a while. Meanwhile, Kohli being in imperious form is a great boost for India, with the former skipper looking hungrier for runs.
Return of Kul-Cha?
Besides Rahul, Axar Patel has also been given a break for the series and his like-for-like replacement in the XI could be Shahbaz Ahmed. It remains to be seen if the team management gives Shahbaz a go or brings in Washington Sundar, who could be handy against the left-handers in the New Zealand camp.
Whether Kuldeep and Chahal could be played together as they used to five years back is a decision that has to be taken by the team management. Chahal did not play after the first ODI due to a sore shoulder but he should be available for selection for the series opener.
Siraj, Mohammad Shami and Umran Malik will be the likely specialist pacers in the team with Hardik Pandya being the all-rounder.
New Zealand strong enough even without Williamson
Though New Zealand doesn't have the services of star players Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for the series, the hosts will have to be at their best to better the visitors. Stand-in-captain Tom Latham played a blinder the last time the two teams met in an ODI.
The team is coming from a high of a series against Pakistan in Karachi. Opener Finn Allen, who was not at his destructive best in Karachi, would be looking to take the attack to the India bowlers. The hosts need to find a way to stop the belligerent Glenn Phillips who single-handily won New Zealand the decider against Pakistan despite being half-fit.
Squads
India
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik.
New Zealand
Tom Latham (captain), Finn Allen, Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.
