India has already lost the ODI series, their second consecutive one in Bangladesh.
After Team India lost the ODI series to Bangladesh with a 5-run defeat in the second ODI, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar advised the tourists to pick a strong squad for the final ODI to gain confidence ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series.
India suffered back-to-back ODI defeats in Dhaka, and the legendary batter stressed that it is very important for the team to return to winning ways keeping in mind the upcoming matches, especially the Test series, as they are aiming to make it to the WTC 2023 final.
India will be without captain Rohit Sharma, pacers Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Sen, who are all injured and are flying back to India. KL Rahul will captain India in the final ODI and possibly in the Test series as well, in case Rohit Sharma doesn't return.
Sunil Gavaskar told Sony Sports: “They have to pick their strong side. It’s a matter of finding confidence for the Test match that follows. The composition of the Test squad and the ODI squad is going to be a little different. But against a team that is batting and bowling so well, Bangladesh have been outstanding. India needs to win this. India needs to reduce the margin to 2-1. Win the 3rd ODI and get their confidence up and try and win the Test in Chattogram.”
The legendary batter further mentioned that if India wins the two-match Test series in Bangladesh, it will be good for them before the Border-Gavaskar series in March next year.
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “The incentive, of course, is if India win the Test series. India have got 4 Tests against Australia in February. If they win these two Tests, out of these 6 Tests, they have to win 5, they give themselves a very good chance to qualify for the World Test Championship.”
Notably, Team India now needs to win at least 5 of their remaining 6 tests to make it to the WTC 2023 final.