1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth has revealed his dream India XI for the first ODI against Australia on Sunday, October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The three-match ODI series will see the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with Shubman Gill appointed as India’s new ODI captain and Shreyas Iyer as the vice-captain.
The former Indian chief selector’s top order consists of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, with KL Rahul playing the role of wicketkeeper-batsman at number five. Srikkanth has picked three all-rounders in the middle order to provide balance, and they are Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar.
Kris Srikkanth reveals India XI for ODI opener against Australia
The former Indian cricketer’s bowling attack included wrist-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, leaving out Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Following India’s strategy of strengthening the batting depth while maintaining bowling options for the opening match of the three-match ODI series between India and Australia in Perth, Srikkanth has named spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar at number eight.
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The former Indian chief selector wants to use Nitish Kumar Reddy as the third seamer along with Siraj and Prasidh. Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, “If you look at the trend, they are playing with eight batsmen. The number eight should also be able to bat. If you are thinking of batting till number eight, then Washington Sundar should be the automatic choice. I would still play Sundar at eight, Kuldeep at nine, and Siraj and Prasidh Krishna at ten and eleven. I would use Nitish as the third seamer. Will do and will still go with three spinners.”
Kris Srikkanth says India will miss Jasprit Bumrah in the ODI series
With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the upcoming ODI series, Srikkanth believes that Siraj and Krishna will take over the responsibility of fast bowling. He stressed that it would be unfair for Sundar to leave out Kuldeep, suggesting a four-pronged attack for Australian conditions.
He further added, “Either way if it is a juicy wicket, there is Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc; they have a more experienced pace attack. Bumrah is going to be a big miss for us, so we will depend on Siraj and Prasidh.
You cannot remove Kuldeep. If you say that you will remove Kuldeep and feed Washington then it will be injustice to Kuldeep. If I was the captain, I would have played Siraj, Kuldeep, Washington and Prasidh.
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Srikkanth also told that the main reason for giving preference to Krishna over Arshdeep Singh is the condition of the pitch in Australia. Krishna’s ability to generate extra bounce is well suited to fast, bouncy Australian wickets, making him an important factor in India’s bowling strategy.
He signed off by saying, “Arshdeep has done nothing wrong, but the problem is with the combination. Why not Prasidh in place of Arshdeep? This is not T20. This is ODI. Prasidh can get extra bounce in Australian wickets.”
Kris Srikkanth’s India XI for the first ODI against Australia:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
