11 February,2022 07:08 AM IST | Ahmedabad | Sunil K Vaidya
India opener Shikhar Dhawan. Pic/AFP
With only 20 months left for the ICC Men's World Cup, the Indian team's think-tank may not be averse to giving potential players an opportunity in the inconsequential third ODI against the West Indies today at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Cock-a-hoop skipper Rohit Sharma hinted of at least one change when he said that Rishabh Pant as an opener "was not a permanent" move, but was part of the "different things" being tried out.
"I have been asked to do different things, so this was different. People will be happy seeing Rishabh open, but it is not permanent," Rohit told the official broadcaster after India's thumping 44-run win in the second ODI.
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"We will get Shikhar [Dhawan] back [to open] in the next game," he added. Dhawan missed the first two ODIs after testing positive for COVID-19.
Another strong contender for a place in the Indian batting line up - Shreyas Iyer - is also back from his COVID-related isolation and will be hoping to get a game today. However, it will be a tough call for Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid to make room for two batsmen. There is a possibility that they could bench Pant to accommodate Dhawan and replace Deepak Hooda with Iyer.
Rohit has insisted that Team India are open to experimenting. "It is not always about the results. We want to try a few things keeping the long term in mind. We don't mind if we lose the odd game in the process. We don't mind losing a few games, trying out a few things because it's important to look at long-term goals. We'll see what works out well for the team combination," the captain added.
In a pre-tournament media interaction, Rohit had said that left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will get an opportunity. So it looks like he will get a chance to find his groove and rhythm as Team India could begin the process of integrating him into their scheme of things keeping the long term perspective in mind.
While the Indians are in a position to make wholesale changes for the sake of trying out more players, the West Indians may have to make changes to find what works for them as they keep rebuilding the team for next year's ODI World Cup.
Kieron Pollard, who missed the second ODI due to a niggle, is likely to be back in the side while they may look to replace Kemar Roach. Otherwise, there's not much scope for change.
The greenish wicket with decent bounce was beneficial to pacers in the second ODI and it will be interesting to see if the pitch throws up an exciting contest in an otherwise dead rubber.
