When the newly-formed national selection committee for Team India met in Delhi on Thursday to pick the One-Day International (ODI) team for first three games of the five-match series, they had a task in hand. The team had lost quite a few important series post 2015 World Cup. They lost in Bangladesh, were beaten by South Africa at home and even lost to Australia earlier this year. Though their performance has been great in Tests and relatively better in T20s during this period, they struggled to find the right balance in ODIs. Also with a few important players like Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar being injured, the task of picking their first ever team became all the more difficult for the selectors.
A few days prior to the selection, there were rumours of limited-overs specialist Yuvraj Singh being called for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Finally, when the squad was announced, there were a few surprises, but no place for Yuvraj. Instead of going for the regressive step by picking Yuvraj, the five-member panel decided to invest in the youth. The panel led by MSK Prasad picked Punjab youngster Mandeep Singh and Maharashtra player Kedar Jadhav for the middle-order roles, besides springing the biggest surprise in bringing back Suresh Raina.
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The Uttar Pradesh and India veteran was perhaps rewarded for his decent run in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy. The selectors also made sure that Ajinkya Rahane was the specialist opener, as they did not opt for any other opener in the side apart from Rohit Sharma. Manish Pandey was an obvious selection after his maiden ton in Australia earlier this year. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also made a comeback, while Jayant Yadav also made the cut.
Here’s the squad led by MS Dhoni for the first three ODIs: MS Dhoni (C&wk), 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 and Kedar Jadhav.
Meanwhile, the moment team was announced, people started commenting on social media and gave their feedbacks. While some liked the team that has been picked, some criticised it. Take a look at some of the top tweets that floated on Twitter:
The Indian team for the ODIs is a clear reward for those that did well with India ‘A’. And clearly Ashwin/Jadeja will play Test cricket only
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 6, 2016
Resting Ashwin, Jadeja and Shami together might lead to losing a game or two but that’s a small price to pay for future gains. — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 6, 2016
Happy to see @ImRaina back. Always go back to class. Also, 6th bowler in Indian conditions. And hopefully clear mandate for Rahane as opener — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 6, 2016
Obviously Hardik Pandya has impressed those that saw him in Australia. This is an investment in promise. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 6, 2016
Hardik Pandya will be playing #IndVsNZ ODIs. Thank God at least someone is there to make high scoring games. — Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 6, 2016
Umesh Yadav will spearhead Indian bowling attack. . . . . . Future of skipper Dhoni in Bumrah, Kulkarni’s hands — P₹akash $inha (@Predicto_Praky) October 6, 2016
Mandeep is someone who can open and also bat at No.4. Rahul at 4 will turn as bad as Rahane at the same position. — Sampath (@SAMPATHB24) October 6, 2016
Learning from Australia – rested all key bowlers https://t.co/X8XDCzzLKi
— P₹akash $inha (@Predicto_Praky) October 6, 2016
I am selected for India’s ODI team against New Zealand.
Now you will see me with lot of gym sessions and selfies in coming days
— hardik pandya (@PandyaHardik228) October 6, 2016
INDIA’S ODI TEAM MSDhoni(Capt), Rohit, Ajinkya, Virat, Manish, Raina, Hardik, Axar, Jayant, Mishra, Bumrah, Dhawal, Umesh, Mandeep, Kedar pic.twitter.com/zfqT27t8yt — Fukkard (@Fukkard) October 6, 2016
Disappointed to see no Kapil Dev, Gavaskar and Sikhar Dhawan in the #IndvNZ squad. It is so disgusting to see MSD finishing careers. — Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 6, 2016
Dont know on what basis Raina and Pandya are selected. — Pramod. (@Cric_Pramod) October 6, 2016
So no Ashwin & Jadeja for the NZ ODI’s, good for them to get rest before the England series. Will have a lot of bowling to do. — Clive (@vanillawallah) October 6, 2016
Happy for Mandeep Singh, sad for Mayank Agarwal. . . . . Sad for Binny family… . . . . Also sad for Gambhir and Yuvraj fans — P₹akash $inha (@Predicto_Praky) October 6, 2016
Remember there is no Stuart Binny in the #IndVsNZ squad. How will Legend Rohit get another 200, if bowlers won’t concede runs? Disappointed. — Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 6, 2016
How Umesh makes it to the team always is out of my fucking mind. https://t.co/yY4ZPq1WES
— Sai Agarwal (@Imsaiagarwal) October 6, 2016
Will be fun watching Raina facing short balls from NZ bowlers #IndvsNZ
— Abhishek (@ImAbhishek_) October 6, 2016
Indian Squad:
Suresh Raina makes a Comeback
Yuvraj Singh misses out..
I think they rested Ashwin..
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 6, 2016