Team India’s biggest test in the first ODI, Virat Kohli’s return is certain but who will get the chance between Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar?

New Delhi . After the crushing defeat in the T20 series against England, the Indian cricket team will now take the field with the intention of making a fresh start in the three-match ODI series. In the first match to be played at Edgbaston, the team management will try to field a balanced playing eleven, so that along with victory in the ODI format, confidence can also be regained. The return of experienced batsman Virat Kohli has strengthened the batting order, but some important decisions regarding the playing eleven are still pending.

The Indian batting order is considered almost fixed. Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill can open the innings, while Virat Kohli is almost certain to be at the third position. With his arrival, it seems difficult for Ishan Kishan to make a place in the playing eleven. Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul will take charge of the team in the middle order. Both the batsmen have established themselves as reliable players for India in ODI cricket over the years.

Akshar Patel’s role as an all-round option is also going to be important. He can be sent up or down the batting order as per the need of the team. Being a left-handed batsman, he also provides balance in batting and additional options with spin bowling. This is the reason why his usefulness in the team composition is being considered very important in the first match.

The biggest relief in the bowling department is the return of Jasprit Bumrah. After a long gap, he is becoming a part of the ODI team and his experience in the conditions of England can prove to be a big weapon for India. Along with him, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna can handle the responsibility of the fast bowling attack. The responsibility of taking wickets with the new ball and stopping runs in the death overs will be on this trio.

However, the biggest discussion is about the spin department. Kuldeep Yadav has been a consistent bowler taking wickets in the middle overs for some time now. His wrist spin has the ability to unsettle any batting order. Washington Sundar, on the other hand, provides additional balance to the team by contributing with both batting and bowling. This is the reason why the team management faces the challenge of choosing one of the two players.

In the absence of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy, it is almost certain that Shivam Dubey will get a chance. He has the ability to score fast runs, but his bowling is considered a limited option. In such a situation, if the team also includes Kuldeep Yadav, then the depth of batting may be reduced. If Sundar is given a chance, the batting will be strong, but the lack of a specialist wicket-taking spinner may be felt.

The selection of the final eleven for the first ODI will depend on this balance. If the team management gives priority to batting then Washington Sundar may have the upper hand. On the other hand, if the strategy is to take wickets continuously in the middle overs, then Kuldeep Yadav may get a chance. In such a situation, the Indian team coming to Edgbaston will not only win but will also test the right team combination.