The Indian squad for the first three matches of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand has been announced. Batsmen Suresh Raina has made a comeback in the Indian squad for the first three matches of the ODI series. However, the three senior players including off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin were rested keeping in busy season in mind.
The chairman of the selection panel MSK Prasad made it clear that Raina’s selection is a short term move made primarily keeping in mind his ability to bowl tight off-breaks in sub continental conditions.
The other two players, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami has also been rested as the committee feels they would prove significant in the upcoming Test series against England and Australia.
As both the opening batsmen KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan are injured and have been ruled out of the series, newcomer Mandeep Singh will be opening the game along with Rohit Sharma.
Off-spinner Jayant Yadav and left arm spinner Axar Patel have replaced Ashwin and Jadeja while Dawal Kulkarni is making a comeback in place of Mohammed Shami.
Hardik Pandya, who was dropped during Zimbabwe tour and the tour to the United States, has also made a comeback into the squad.
The series will kick-off from the first match on October 16 at a beautiful Cricket stadium of Dharamsala.
Indian Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni(Capt), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Jasprit Bumrah, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav.
By Prajakt K.
