The BCCI will select the team for five matches ODI series against Sri Lanka on 13th August. With Sri Lanka not performing well in the ODI format, it is a great a chance for the Indian team to test youngsters and build a team for the World Cup 2019 to be played in England.
Here are the 5 youngsters who should be given a chance in ODI series against Sri Lanka:
- Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey was the top scorer for India A in the tri-series. He scored 307 runs in 5 matches with an average of 61.4. In times of crisis, the captain stepped up and scored important runs helping the team to win matches. It was a great tournament for Pandey who hit 3 half centuries in the tournament. He has been in and out of the Indian team.
With this form, Pandey would be looking to make a come back into the Indian team and play with positive attitude. For team India, he has played 12 ODI matches with only 1 half century and 1 century to his name.
- Shreyas Iyer
The right handed batsmen Shreyas Iyer should be a given a chance in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka starting from 20th August. In the recently concluded finals of tri series against South Africa A, Iyer scored a match winning 140* to help the visitors to win the title. It was a great performance by Iyer played with positive attitude and showed his class with the strokeplay. He has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit for Mumbai.
He made his first class debut and List A debut in 2014. His ability to score runs with quick pace makes him dangerous batsmen. In the Indian Premier League, he played for Delhi Daredevils with 338 runs in 12 matches during the 2017 edition. This is an ideal opportunity to test him as an opener or in the middle order.
- Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur performance in the recently concluded tri-series involving hosts South Africa A and Afghanistan A was impressive. He bowled with pace and picked wickets for the team taking 9 wickets in the 4 matches he played in the tournament. His ability to bowl with aggression is a bowler team India needs in ODI format who can wickets in the middle overs.
The 25-year pace bowler has been the mainstay of Mumbai bowling line up in the Ranji Trophy. He was selected in the team for West Indies tour but could not play. Thakur could be given a chance in place of Umesh Yadav who has been playing non-stop test cricket.
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzevendra Chahal, the top quality leg spinner is another youngster who should be given a chance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. He also performed well in the tri-series taking 6 wickets. Before this, he has played 3 ODI internationals and 6 T20 matches for team India.
He made his ODI debut in the series against Zim last year. In the 3 ODI matches he has played so far, Chahal has taken 6 wickets with an economy of 3.20. The leg spinner has also played 6 T20 matches taking 11 wickets with an economy of 7.25. He has the best figures of 6/25 against England at Bengaluru played this year.
With Ravichandran Ashwin struggling in ODI format, Chahal should be given a chance in ODI format keeping in mind the 2019 World Cup.
- Risbabh Pant
The explosive left handed batsmen should be given a chance in the playing XI for the limited overs series against Sri Lanka. He was selected in the team for the West Indies ODI series but was not given a chance in the playing XI.
He has played 2 T20 internationals for team India. In the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy season, Pant scored 972 runs in 8 matches with the best score of 308. Pant would be an ideal hitting batsman would take the game away from the opposition. With Sri Lanka struggling in the bowling department, it is a great chance to test the youngster in 50 over format.
- Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj made his List A debut for India in the tri-series. He was impressive with his pace and give the opposition team batsmen tough time. In the four matches he played, Siraj took 4 wickets. In the last year’s Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad, Siraj took 41 wickets in 9 matches.
He also made debut in the Indian Premier League 2017, taking 10 wickets in 6 matches. Siraj should be given a chance to prove his mettle.