Shikhar Dhawan has been named to lead a second-string Team India once again in the upcoming 3-ODI series against South Africa. Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain and a part of India’s ODI setup, has been named Dhawan’s deputy.
Rajat Patidar gets his maiden India call-up
Batters Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and seamer Mukesh Kumar all have received their maiden ODI call-ups. All four have been rewarded for their impressive shows in the domestic cricket and in the IPL.
Shikhar Dhawan led India in the ODI series against West Indies and Zimbabwe, where India whitewashed the two oppositions. Shubam Gill, who starred with the bat in both those series, will open alongside Dhawan once again, against the Proteas.
Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to be the backup opener, while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are the two wicket-keepers in the 16-man squad.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has been dropped from India’s T20I side but remains a key part of the other two formats, is the senior pacer in this squad. Interestingly, Deepak Chahar has been named to face South Africa in the ODI despite being part of the contingent that will travel to Australia later this week for the T20 World Cup. Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan are also part of the squad for South Africa ODIs.
The three ODIs will be played on October 6 in Lucknow, October 9 in Ranchi and October 11 in Delhi. Deepak Chahar, who had made his return in Zimbabwe after 6 months due to injury, is currently playing in the T20Is against Temba Bavuma’s side. His name in the ODI squad is to get him more practice ahead of the T20 World Cup, for which India are still fretting over Bumrah’s fitness.
India’s ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohd. Siraj, Deepak Chahar
