Rishabh Pant's place in the playing eleven is far from guaranteed, while Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are locked in a tight contest for the additional all-rounder's slot as India confront several selection dilemmas ahead of the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi.
India will look to address several lingering selection puzzles when they take on South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday in the first ODI of the three-match series, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the set-up for a short audition that could well shape their 2027 World Cup fate.
India may have won the toss in Vadodara, but the real storm broke at the team announcement. Arshdeep Singh's exclusion from the first ODI against New Zealand ignited a wave of fan fury, turning the spotlight firmly on India's puzzling pace-bowling choices.
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.
Unless they getting their batting and bowling woes sorted out soon, the 2023 World Cup looks another distant dream for the Men in Blue.
The team's balance puzzle once again took centre stage on Tuesday night, even as individual performances from the ongoing series highlighted why leaving either out is a tough ask.
India's T20 World Cup squad had space for only 15, but the pool of quality options ran far deeper. The consequence was inevitable: several players with genuine claims were left on the outside, the unlucky ones who narrowly missed the cut.
The lack of runs from captain Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill remains a talking point.
Rohit Sharma hit an unbeaten century, while Virat Kohli returned to form with a fluent fifty as India cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket victory in the inconsequential third and final ODI against Australia.
'There is no question on the value that he brings to the side. But the management and board need to discuss how to use him...'
How well will Shubman Gill fit in the T20 team? Is it a gamble by the selectors in order to unite captaincy across formats? asks Harish Kotian.
SL executed their plans well against the Indian batters, who are not the cleverest performers on rank turners, while not many are though.
'Five spinners, Siraj ignored for Rana, and Jaiswal dropped. Brain-faded captain and coach combo!'
'I think any experience in the sub-continent is valuable.'
'While acknowledging Sanju's potential to pivot the course of a game with his exceptional abilities, it's imperative to recognise the distinct role that Team India expects from him.'
'Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection as per the handover report of the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England. There are currently no fresh injuries reported as well after his departure from Team India.'
'He has got the range and not too many bowlers can keep him quiet.'
'Unique' Afghan leg spinner Rashid Khan will have a major impact on this year's Indian Premier League for the Hyderabad franchise, coach Tom Moody has predicted.
Bangladesh's One-Day International debutant Tanzim Hasan, who grabbed public attention with a scintillating opening spell in the Asia Cup Super Fours match against India, in Colombo on Friday, described India skipper Rohit Sharma's dismissal as a "dream wicket".
Smith roared back to form as his 131, single-handedly steered Australia to 338
However, the Pakistani leg-spinner believes that he would be in frame for the 2007 World Cup.
Pakistan does not have any injury concerns but they are one of the most undercooked ODI sides at the moment. Since the 2019 World Cup, the 'Green Brigade' has played just 29 ODIs, whereas India have played 57 matches in the same period. - Asia Cup 2023
'In today's times, it is even more important to have them around with the team with the longer duration of tour and quarantine and bubbles.'
Kuldeep Yadav picked up four wickets and Ishan Kishan slammed a quickfire half-century as India crushed West Indies by five wickets in the first ODI.
India's batters will have to counter a potent Pakistan bowling attack that can make an impact irrespective of the nature of the pitch.
Jasprit Bumrah will definitely be a part of India's plans for the T20 World Cup but there is not clarity on the T20 future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India will eye another dominant performance against hosts England in a three- match ODI series
Shardul Thakur made his first appearance in the series count with a four-wicket haul as India yet again choked the South African batsmen, dismissing them for a below-par 204, in the sixth and final One-Day International, in Centurion, on Friday.
At the conclusion of the Asia Cup, Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji make an assessment after 36 matches India has played so far in the 2013-14 season.
India would be looking to sort out issues such as the opening blues, the middle-lower order conundrum and also the bowling strategies during the three-match T20 series against West Indies.
Ganguly said that it will be a different side, which won't have anyone from the outfit that will be in the United Kingdom at that time.
Australia will need their top order to fire against New Zealand's disciplined attack and persist with four specialist bowlers.
Ricky Ponting said Michael Clarke should relinquish ODI captaincy after the World Cup with Steven Smith taking over the reins.
Australia will meet trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Sunday's final in Dubai where teams chasing under the lights have enjoyed a clear advantage.
A lot of grey areas are yet to be addressed, but a young Indian team, with an admirable collective temperament, will start as favourites in the series-deciding fifth T20 International against South Africa, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
According to journalist Boria Majumdar, Rohit returned to Mumbai because his father was suffering from COVID-19.
KL Rahul's struggling run in the opening slot has left former India opener Wasim Jaffer baffled and he believes the Karnataka player seems caught in an unsolved jigsaw puzzle despite having the ability to do well.
Rohit Sharma knows Rishabh Pant comes as a package and he is ready to accept him as he is without trying to mould him into something that he is not.
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