The Indian cricket team has been facing a lot of criticism after they suffered a 1-2 defeat in the Test series while they were whitewashed in the three-match ODI series in South Africa.
However, Team India were without the services of their white-ball captain, Rohit Sharma, and star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, whose absence was felt by the tourists in South Africa.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s captaincy saga arguably played a role in India’s horrific outing against South Africa.
Well, Rohit and Jadeja are slated to return for the upcoming West Indies series at home, and Gautam Gambhir said that the Indian team will look like a much better team than the one that went to South Africa.
Ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies, starting on February 6 in Ahmedabad, Gambhir said that Rohit and Jadeja’s return will enable KL Rahul to bat in the middle order, and it will provide the host much the needed balance to make a comeback after the Proteas horror.
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Speaking to Star Sports, Gambhir said: “Obviously Jadeja and Rohit will return. KL Rahul will be back in the middle order. Then India will look a much better team. Now, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant will form the top 5 of the batting line-up. Jadeja will take the No.6 spot. There will be much more depth to the Indian team if you see Shardul at No.7.”
The former opener also backed Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar to be picked for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies to try new bowling options keeping in mind the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
He said, “I would want to persist with Prasidh Krishna for sure, irrespective of the conditions. Even Siraj... uses these players. If Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the next series which he should be, then Siraj and Krishna should be used in the West Indies series. And even if they concede a lot of runs, it won't matter because they need experience. Deepak Chahar should also play. He can be rotated with Thakur.”
However, Gambhir was against the idea to recall Kuldeep Yadav to India’s ODI set-up but wants the selectors to give Jayant Yadav another opportunity for the West Indies series.
He signed off by saying, “Not so fast. Because Kuldeep hasn't been playing cricket that much. He should play domestic cricket, then IPL, then we can think about it. Jadeja and Axar Patel are the options. I would also like to persist with Jayant Yadav. He didn't perform poorly. He created two opportunities, although both the opportunities were let go. So Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant, and Yuzvendra Chahal can be the three spinners. Axar can be the extra spinner.”
