India’s tour of Bangladesh is all set to get underway with the three-match ODI series in Dhaka on Sunday (December 4).
Ahead of the series, there are a lot of talks going on regarding India’s team combination keeping the 2023 World Cup in mind.
The quartet of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul haven’t featured together in an ODI XI since March 2021. In fact, whenever Dhawan, Rohit and Rahul have appeared in the same XI, Rahul has never opened.
While Rahul has excelled in the middle-order as a wicketkeeper-batter, he has made his intentions clear of not donning the gloves.
Interestingly, Rahul is also the designated vice-captain of the Indian ODI side, meaning that it won’t be easy for the team management to leave him out of the XI.
Amid the speculations, former India selector Saba Karim has opined that it is difficult for KL Rahul to make it to the India XI for the ODI series opener against Bangladesh.
"I look at him more as an opening alternative to Dhawan and Rohit. He's just a classy player. It's just a matter of time when he can strike form. Having said that, I really don't know at what number he will come in. If not as opener, do we use him in the middle order? If we do, can we give him a long rope there because there are so many other contenders there. This is something that needs to be settled as soon as possible by the captain and the team management," he said in a select media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.
Saba Karim added that Shreyas Iyer will be his preferred No.4 ahead of Rahul. He also highlighted the importance of a sixth-bowling option in the top six.
"Playing all three (Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant) seems difficult. When you have Virat Kohli coming back in the mix. He will bat at No.3. Then suppose you put Shreyas Iyer at No.4 then you are left with only two spots. India are now looking to have that sixth bowling option from their top six. If that is the case then that leaves very little space for one more middle-order batter to come in. I'll look at Iyer because he has done very well in the New Zealand series as well. He should occupy the No.4 spot, then you are left with Rishabh Pant at No.5 and then you need to have one more bowling option at No.6," he added.
"It'll be a very crucial series for Shikhar Dhawan. I hope that without the extra responsibility of captaincy, he will come good. He and Rohit Sharma set a wonderful platform for the other batters to come in. One should also not forget that in ICC tournaments, Dhawan has been a great performer for India. That is one reason I believe the team management still backs him to go come good. With Rohit alongside him, I hope he does well. This right and left combination has worked well for India."
