Amid the hustle and bustle of the IPL, international cricket seems to have taken a back seat. But once this edition of the cash-rich league is done and dusted, there’s a very interesting international season lined up.
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The selectors will meet on Tuesday to announce the squad for India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan. Apart from that, the selection committee will also pick squads for the India ‘A’ team for tour of England, ‘A’ team for tri-series involving England ‘A’ and West Indies ‘A’, T20 squad for tour of Ireland, T20 squad for tour of England, One-day squad for matches in England.
While the Test against Afghanistan is considered to be a low key affair due to the absence of stars, the ODI series against England will certainly invite a lot of attention.
Here is the probable 16-member Indian squad that is likely to be picked by the selectors for the ODI series against England:
1) Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan had been in red hot form on the South African tour. He has the potential to intimidate the bowlers and takes the game away from the opposition in a jiffy.
2) Rohit Sharma (vc)
Rohit Sharma was out of form on the tour of South Africa and could only notch up a solitary century in the ODI series. However, he found some form in the T20s and is an automatic pick in the squad.
3) Virat Kohli (c)
Virat Kohli picks himself in the squad. The backbone of the Indian batting, Kohli is the player around whom the team revolves. Along with taking important decisions as a Captain, Kohli is also arguably the best batsman in ODIs.
4) Dinesh Karthik
In the form that Dinesh Karthik is in right now, the selectors would be tempted to pick him in the squad. Karthik 2.0 is a much evolved player and can win matches for the team.
5) Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer is an upcoming Indian batting star. He is going great guns in the IPL and is a contender for the No 4 squad.
6) Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu has had a breakout IPL 2018 and would give Shreyas Iyer tough competition for the No 4 spot. The current purple cap holder of the IPL, Rayudu has been instrumental in CSK’s success.
7) Kedar Jadhav
After playing a big role in winning CSK their opening match against MI, Jadhav has been ruled out of IPL. Kohli likes to keep Jadhav in the scheme of things as he also provides the team with a bowling option.
8) Suresh Raina
The resurgence of Suresh Raina has been a blessing for Indian cricket. After having a decent T20 series against South Africa, Raina is a contender for a spot in the squad. He is also capable of giving the team a couple of tight overs.
9) MS Dhoni (wk)
One can see the glimpse of vintage Dhoni in this season of the IPL. MSD would walk into the side and would don the keeping gloves.
10) Hardik Pandya
Although Hardik Pandya did not start IPL 2018 at a very promising note, he has caught up in the second part and is looking hungry to contribute to the team’s success.
11) Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a gem of a bowler both at the top of the innings and at the death. If he remains fit, he is a surety in the team.
12) Jasprit Bumrah
The crafty deliveries and the increased pace of Bumrah makes him a formidable ODI bowler. He along with Bhuvi form one of the deadliest death bowling pairs in the world.
13) Umesh Yadav
The incumbent Purple cap holder in IPL 2018, Umesh Yadav has bowled quite well in the season. Although death bowling still remains a concern, he can certainly taken wickets first up with his raw pace.
14) Siddarth Kaul
Siddarth Kaul has looked a very improved bowler this season and calls for notice. His pace has been up there and he has been a consistent performer for SRH.
15) Yuzvendra Chahal
The wily leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is Kohli’s first choice spinner in the team. Although, he has not had a great IPL, we all know what he is capable of.
16) Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav brings in a sense of mystery to the Indian bowling line up. Batsmen have struggled to pick him as yet and the chinaman can also extract some extra help from the otherwise unresponsive – for the spinners – English wickets.
17) KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been in brilliant form in the IPL, striking the ball beautifully in the powerplay and also displaying qualities of a finisher.
He could be our back up opener, but if India decide to push Rohit Sharma in the middle order, we could have a top 4 of Rahul, Dhawan, Kohli and Rohit.
So this completes our 16 member squad. If you have any suggestions or feel that any other player should make the squad, please let us know in the comments section below.
