India v Sri Lanka, ODI series: Changes that should take place in the Indian side

After running past the Aussies and the Windies with ease, India had to deal with a competent New Zealand side who made them run for their money. Eventually, India’s tremendous winning streak continued as the Kiwis bowed down both in the ODIs and T20s despite throwing a decent fight. Next up are the kinky Islander neighbors, who pulled off a historic triumph in the Tests against Pakistan, but in the ODIs and T20s, they got humiliated.

Pakistanis ran past them in a canter as they failed to win any one of the 8 limited overs fixtures on the tour (5 ODIs and 3 T20Is). Upul Tharanga and his troops need a lot more diligence from their players as playing this Indian side in India is way more difficult than what they bantered in the Gulf nations.

India announced their squad for the Test series and the stalwarts Ashwin and Jadeja will be back after quite a long time. Hardik Pandya, who has been surprisingly rested for the Test series, may or may not appear in the ODI series. The rotation policy has seen a lot of mixed reactions over the course of time and resting few youngsters hasn’t gone well with former cricketers.

Is Dinesh Karthik the perfect solution to the number 4 predicaments for skipper Kohli? Maybe or maybe not. With some senior players battling their hearts out with the Yo-Yo Test, that one thing remains an unanswered question as to who will take up that crucial position.

Yet, one thing no one can deny is that this side is achieving meteoric results. Inevitably, comparisons are being made with the mighty Aussies of the previous decade. Although they are a long distance away from replicating anything like that, they’ve caught the right track. With Sri Lanka not in the best of its phases, they can rest and test a few players.

1. Mohammad Shami in for Jasprit Bumrah

Probably the right time to rest India’s best bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The youngster has been outstanding over the course of time, doing a spectacular job in the death. Many experts reckon his action is quite a stressful one and he should be protected carefully for the World Cup. If that’s the case, Shami needs some games to get back in the groove. India’s ace bowler in the previous World Cup had a torrid time dealing with injuries but a place for him has been long due.

2. Umesh Yadav in for Shardul Thakur

Another one of those changes which might sound a little too unfair, but what has happened with Umesh Yadav has also been a bit unfair. Just when the fast bowler was getting into the groove, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah’s decent performances didn’t help his cause. The youngster Shardul Thakur going to England in 2019 for the World Cup seems unlikely as of now, but Umesh Yadav’s chances are high. So maybe, Umesh in for Shardul won’t be a bad idea.

3. Ravindra Jadeja in for Kuldeep Yadav

Did MSK Prasad and co forget a player named Ravindra Jadeja can be quite a potent weapon in the ODIs? As delirious as it sounds, Jadeja hasn’t been in the ODI mix up since a long time now. To be completely honest, Pandya as a fifth bowler is still not a trustable choice and maybe, an all-rounder of Jadeja’s quality can make a significant impact, allowing the fifth and sixth bowlers some breathing space.

4. Vijay Shankar in for Hardik Pandya

Keeping in mind the selectors have rested Hardik Pandya for the Test series, they might do the same in the Limiter overs fixtures. That’d be a huge test for Kohli to balance the XI, but he can definitely look up to Tamil Nadu’s all-rounder Vijay Shankar. Another aspect that’s in Shankar’s favor is his incredible fitness, which helped him pass the much-hyped about Yo-Yo Test with flying colors. 

5. Mohammad Siraj in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Of all the suggestions given above, this one’s the most likely to not happen. But after some serious contemplation, this seems a good move if the selectors wish to check our the bench strength. Mohammad Siraj is arguably one of the hottest young prospects in the country, who manages to hit th 145 kph mark with ease. He can be a decent addition to this side, given the selectors want to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been doing a tremendous job across all formats recently.