The Indian Cricket Team will take on West Indies in a 3 match T20I, ODI series starting from 3rd August 2019. As the selectors are likely to rest key players for the 3 match ODI series against the West Indies, opportunity awaits for some to don back in blue. The Indian squad for West Indies tour would be selected on 19th July.
West Indies tour is a chance for fringe players to make a comeback into ODI team and prove their worth again in the 50 over format. In the 2019 World Cup played in England and Wales, India was stunned by New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Here are 6 Indian Players Eyeing A Comeback On The West Indies Tour:
1. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli”s deputy in the Test squad surprisingly is not a regular in white ball cricket. He is one of the pillars of the Indian middle order in the test squad.
Ajinkya Rahane made its ODI debut for Team India on 3rd September 2011 against England. He has played 90 ODIs (87 innings) and scored 2962 runs with an average 35.26 so far.
Rahane played its last One-day international match for India against South Africa on 16th February 2018 at Centurion. With India struggling for number 4 spot in World Cup 2019, he could be selected for the West Indies.
During the last tour of West Indies in 2017, Rahane was the leading run-getter with 336 runs from 5 matches with 1 century and 3 half-centuries. This will provide solidity at number 4 spot for which the Indian team has been struggling for a while.
2. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer deserves a chance in the Indian ODI team after a successful run in the domestic circuit and India A. In the first unofficial match against West Indies at Antigua on 11th July, Iyer scored 77 off 107 balls and helped India A post 190. Coming at number 3, Iyer made 47 off 69 balls and helped India A post 295 for 6.
Iyer was the star of the show for Mumbai in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 373 runs from 7 matches (6 innings) with 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries. In the Syed Mushtaq Ai Trophy for 2018-19, Iyer was the 2nd leading runs scorer with 484 runs from 10 matches including 2 centuries and 1 half-century.
He led from the front with the bat for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019. In the 16 matches he played, Iyer scored 463 runs with 3 half-centuries. His knocks led Delhi Capitals qualifying for the playoffs stage.
Shreyas Iyer made his ODI debut for India on 10th December 2017 against Sri Lanka at Dharamshala. He has played so far 6 matches and scored 210 runs so far with the best score of 88. His last ODI match was against South Africa in 2018 but did not get a chance to bat.
With the way he is performing at India A level, Iyer should a get chance in the ODI team for West Indies series.
3. Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey is another player who has been inconsistent for the Indian Cricket team in ODI cricket. He made his ODI debut for Men in Blue on 14th July 2015. Since his debut, he has played 23 matches (18 innings) and scored 440 runs with the best score of 104* against Australia in 2016 at Sydney.
He had a decent season for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019 with 344 runs from 12 matches. After a disappointing start, Pandey hit good form and scored 3 half-centuries.
In the 3rd ODI of the ongoing tour of West Indies A, Pandey led from the front scoring 100 off 87 balls. He was named the man of the match for his captains knock.
He has been a consistent performer for Karnataka and India A. In the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Pandey scored 331 runs from 12 matches (8 innings) and helped Karnataka win the title.
Manish Pandey should be given a chance for the ODI series against West Indies. He could be the best chance for India in the number 4 slot.
4. Khaleel Ahmed
The left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed made his One day international for India during Asia Cup 2018 played at Dubai against Hong Kong on 18th September. He played only 8 matches and took 11 wickets with an economy of 5.36 runs per over.
Khaleel Ahmed impressed with his bowling during the home ODI series against West Indies in 2018. He took 7 wickets from 4 matches with an economy of 5.34 runs per over.
In the 2019 edition, Khaleel was the pick of bowlers for Sunrisers Hyderabad with 19 wickets from 9 matches at an economy of 8.23 runs per over.
The left-arm pacer showed his skills with figures of 3/16 in 8 overs during the first unofficial One day international against West Indies A on 11th July 2019. In the 2nd ODI too, Khaleel took 1 for 32 in 9 overs.
He should be given a chance for the 50 over format against West Indies. With the likes of Bumrah and Shami likely to be rested, Khaleel would be looking to come back in the Indian team and show his bowling skills again.
5. Siddarth Kaul
Siddarth Kaul made his one-day international debut for India against England on 12th July 2018 played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. He played just 3 matches and has not picked any wicket so far at an economy of 6.62 runs per over.
Kaul played his last ODI match against Afghanistan during the last league match in Asia Cup 2018. He went for 58 runs in 9 overs.
In the 2019 edition of IPL, the pace bowler did not have a great season with only 6 wickets from 7 matches at an economy of 8.96 runs per over.
With Indian team likely to rest key fast bowlers for West Indies tour, Kaul could be given a chance to prove his mettle again.
6. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav is another experienced fast bowler who was dropped from the ODI team due to inconsistent performances. He made his debut for India against Zimbabwe on 28th May 2010.
In the IPL 2019, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Yadav took just 8 wickets from 11 matches at an economy of 9.80 runs per over.
During the home series against West Indies in 2018, Umesh was recalled into the Indian ODI team. He disappointed with his performance during the first two matches giving away many runs.
Yadav has played 75 matches (73 innings) and taken 106 wickets with an economy of 6.01 runs per over. He featured in the last ODI match against West Indies at Vizag on 24th October 2018.
It is likely that Umesh Yadav could be given a chance in one-day international team for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. With key bowlers to be rested, it is a big chance for an experienced bowler to prove his mettle in ODI cricket.
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