Twitter reactions on India’s playing XI for 4th ODI: Twitter seemed excited after India made four changes to their squad.
During the fourth ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at Mohali, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat. With India leading the five-match series 2-1, another victory would hand them the series.
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“Looks like a belter of a pitch. Australia has to win the match, so let’s put them under pressure. We have to be good enough to bowl with a wet ball,” Kohli was quoted as saying during the toss.
On the other hand, Australia captain Aaron Finch agreed with Kohli’s take on the pitch and hoped it remained the same throughout. “Looks like a good pitch. Should stay the same throughout the game. No we’re about winning the series, but going forward it’s about getting the processes right,” Finch said.
The visitors announced a couple of changes to their playing XI. Middle-order batsman Ashton Turner and fast bowler Jason Behrendorff have been recalled into the squad in place of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
India make four changes
The hosts allured more eyeballs when it came to announcing their combination. Having made as many as four changes to their squad, India have included opening batsman Lokesh Rahul, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad.
The players who will warm the bench today are middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu, wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni (rested for the series), all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
With Dhoni getting rested and Shami having a niggle during the third ODI, their like-for-like replacements in Pant and Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting a go was all but anticipated. With the latter in the squad, India didn’t have to worry about their long tail. Therefore, Jadeja making way for Chahal was always expected.
However, Rahul replacing Rayudu came as a surprise. While the opening batsman was expected to replace a fellow opener, perhaps it was Rayudu scoring 13, 18 and 2 in three matches which made the team management think about the same.
What will be Rahul’s batting number?
In a bid to not disturb the combination, the team management would be looking to bat Rahul at No. 4. Only time will tell whether he will play at the same position only for this series or is being looked at for the long run of things.
Out of his 12 ODI innings, Rahul has played three of them at No. 4. His 26 runs at No. 4 have come at an average of 13 and a strike rate of 59.09. That being said, he will be looking forward to create an impact before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in whichever capacity possible.
One can also not rule out the possibility of Rahul batting at No. 3 and Kohli taking the No. 4 spot. The last time he played an ODI was against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup.
How Twitter reacted:
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