Tezzbuzz Desk- In the first ODI against New Zealand, the Indian team has taken the lead in the series by registering a spectacular victory by 5 wickets. Now the second match between the two teams will be played in Wellington on 7 November. Team India's star fast bowler Mohammad Siraj may return in this match. In such a situation, a bowler playing in the first ODI may have to sit out of the playing-11.
In the first ODI played at Eden Park in Auckland, the Indian team had entered the field with four fast bowlers, but Mohammed Siraj's name was not among them. His not joining the team was a surprise for many people. Former fast bowler Dodda Ganesh had also questioned this decision. However, the team management had a special reason behind giving rest to Siraj. Actually, just a day before the Auckland ODI, Siraj was a part of the three-day Test match played between India A and New Zealand A. This match was played in Lincoln. After the end of the Test match, Siraj would have had to travel about 780 kilometers to reach Auckland. After this, it could have been risky for him to enter the ODI match without adequate rest and preparation. For this reason, instead of going to Auckland, he was asked to reach Wellington directly.
Now the second ODI is to be played in Wellington on 7th November and the chances of Siraj being available in this match are very high. If he is included in the playing-11, then the team will have to drop one of the fast bowlers. In the first match, Indian bowlers had bowled out New Zealand for just 185 runs, so making changes in the bowling attack will not be an easy decision. In such a situation, the biggest threat seems to be in the place of Aaqib Nabi. Right-arm fast bowler Nabi had impressed with his performance in Auckland. He opened the bowling with the new ball along with Arshdeep Singh and troubled the New Zealand openers several times. However, he could not get any wicket. Naman Dheer had also dropped an easy catch on his ball.
After this, Nabi's bowling did not have the same edge as before. This is the reason why his place is considered to be in the most danger if there is a change in the playing-11 for the second ODI. Considering Siraj's experience and his performance in international cricket, the team management can give him a chance. The biggest challenge for India will be to maintain the balance of the team while making changes to the bowling combination that performed brilliantly in the first match. Siraj's return will provide experience and strength to the Indian fast bowling attack. Now it remains to be seen which bowler the team management in Wellington excludes and includes Siraj in the playing-11.