IND vs WI: Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-ODI series against the West Indies, fans had expected India to make a number of changes and give chances to more of the fringe players who sat out in the first two ODIs.
However, Shikhar Dhawan, India’s stand-in captain for this series, named just one change: Prasidh Krishna returning in the eleven for Avesh Khan, who had replaced Krishna in the eleven for the second ODI to make his ODI debut.
This left the fans frustrated as the likes of Arshdeep Singh, who has become a fan favourite since his terrific performances in the IPL 2022, and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, two of the top run-scorers in the last two IPL seasons, were consigned to the bench once again.
Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and elected to bat first in the third ODI, a dead rubber. India made only one change while the hosts rung in three changes.
Here are the two teams for 3rd IND vs WI ODI:
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w), Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran(c), Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein, Hayden Walsh, Jayden Seales
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna
While Kishan and Gaikwad have got their chances in the T20Is against South Africa and Ireland, Arshdeep Singh has got all of a total of ONE match in the last two months while being the Indian team.
He was benched for all 5 T20Is vs South Africa, for both T20Is vs Ireland. He then made his T20I debut in the first match vs England where he impressed very much, bowling a maiden first over and registering figures of 2/18. But was dropped again for the next two T20Is as the seniors returned. Then again was ignored for the entire ODI series vs West Indies.
Now, with Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Harshal Patel, and Hardik Pandya returning for the following T20I series, Arshdeep is unlikely to start in the T20Is vs West Indies as well.
Fans were really upset with Arshdeep and Gaikwad not getting to make their respective ODI debut in the dead rubber vs West Indies.
“Harsh call… Had to play arshdeep… Prasidh hasn’t been very impressive, and could’ve tried different angle with series in bag already,” one fan tweeted.
Harsh call… Had to play arshdeep… Prasidh hasn’t been very impressive, and could’ve tried different angle with series in bag already #WIvIND
— Rahul Kumar (@rahulk_1019) July 27, 2022
“This was the best opportunity to test Arshdeep Singh and Ruturaj in ODIs. I don’t understand what team management was thinking,” another fan wrote.
This was the best opportunity to test Arshdeep Singh and Ruturaj in ODIs. I don’t understand what team management was thinking
#WIvIND
— Jack #RIPLegend (@Switch_hitt) July 27, 2022
Here are some more reactions:
List A ODI stats
•Avesh Khan :
Matches: 22, Wickets: 17, Eco : 5.43, Avg : 50.2•Arshdeep Singh:
Matches: 17, Wickets: 21, Eco : 4.76 Avg : 30.9I don’t know, on what basis these players get picked ahead of Arshdeep Singh! Extremely awful selection. pic.twitter.com/TwfdIa8T34
— David (@CricketFreakD) July 24, 2022
May be because of injury, but disappointed that Arshdeep didn’t get to play any of the ODIs. I definitely rate him higher than Prasidh.
— Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit) July 27, 2022
Justice for Arshdeep
— Ashubmoun bill Popa
(@69popa_) Why on earth is #arshdeep singh not playing? @gurkiratsgill @CricCrazyJohns @mufaddal_vohra #IndianCricketTeam
— Trishal Arora (@trishalarora17) July 27, 2022
Arshdeep still not playing.. Why bcci don’t say directly that they will not give chance to sikh cricketer even after performing much better than others..
Justice for Arshdeep
— Chitvan Sawhney (@ChitvanSawhney) July 27, 2022
Arshdeep will have to wait as long as Avesh doesn’t get a consistent run, or one of Prasidh/Siraj fall out of favour. All 3 are ahead of him in the pecking order. One may not think that they are better than Arshdeep, but once selected, you have to give players a chance to fail. https://t.co/JJxvzGXN19
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) July 27, 2022
Arshdeep and Ruturaj in, Siraj and Gill out. Just to try em out
— Rishi (@somberiii) July 27, 2022
In other words, kill the confidence of those performing just because of a pecking order.
Because, Arshdeep was in great great form. Not just ability. What’s the point of chances when the confidence wanes? That is killing careers. https://t.co/sVsffSrbF0
— Archith (@UtdArc) July 27, 2022
Arshdeep>>Siraj,prasidh
— CricXtasic
(@sigma_male88) I know most of these guys are back ups to main players so they should be given a long rope to perform to get the best into the squad but it is so unfair on Arshdeep. he keeps getting carried everywhere but never plays. Really sad. https://t.co/rud8LfFWfN
— Shree G (@sg_birdomaniac) July 27, 2022
Avesh doesn’t play- Prasidh plays
Prasidh doesn’t play- Avesh plays
Clear agenda against Arshdeep— Harman Rai (@HarmanR47154159) July 27, 2022
Wished Arshdeep Singh’s ODI debut today.. unfortunately
— Jaammii
(@Jaammiing) Rituraj gaikwad without UAE tax pic.twitter.com/7ibRc3aowl
— Sahil45 (@LigerSahil) July 24, 2022
Ruturaj Gaikwad deserved a chance to play atleast 1 ODI. He played brilliantly in the domestic circuit. #IndvsWI
— Dimple Chopra (@DimpleChopra15) July 27, 2022
Ruturaj Gaikwad deserved a chance to play atleast 1 ODI. He played brilliantly in the domestic circuit. #IndvsWI
— Dimple Chopra (@DimpleChopra15) July 27, 2022
