ODI Cricket
The 3rd ODI of the India-New Zealand series has something to look forward to. We are at the middle of a five-match series, but also at a take-off point full of possibilities for both teams with uncertainty still prevailing as to who will lift the Cup. On one hand, one side welcomes some new faces; the other side celebrates their wicketkeeper-batsman’s recovery from injury.
India has made significant changes to its squad from the first two ODIs, and more will follow in the last 2 games. Suresh Raina has been asked to rest and that will make way for Saurabh Tiwary or Jadeja, but it isn’t certain where that will be in the batting order. Chances are that Yusuf will be pushed up the order to no.5 in order to give him a little more time to rain sixes around the park in his first ODI at his hometown on Saturday.
“I haven’t thought about it yet,” said the ODI series captain Gautam Gambhir ahead of his team’s practice session on Friday. “It obviously depends on the situation, how it goes but there’s no doubt he’s a quality player and you want to give him that opportunity and most of the bowlers in the game know how destructive he can be and how he can turn the game on its head if he gets the momentum going.”
Zaheer Khan and Pravin Kumar have returned to enhance the bowling attack. For Zaheer, coming back from injury is an opportunity to get some matches under his belt before the South Africa tour. “He’s missed the last Test match owing to injury and he’s missed the first two one dayers as well.This is a good chance for him to get the rhythm back,” said Gambhir.
“Since we’re not playing any (practice) games in South Africa, so these three one-dayers can really help him to his advantage and with some good bowling he can take that confidence to South Africa.” Both Zaheer and Praveen are likely to play, Sreesanth given rest and Munaf Patel making way.
Tags: Cricket, Gautam Gambhir, IND, India, Kiwis, New Zealand, NZ, ODI Match, ODI Series
