Zaheer Khan
India with their Grade-B team too are leading and dominating the ODI series 2-0 against NZ. The squad for the rest of the ODI’s was announced on Thursday. By no surprise it was again a rookie one. Two squads were announced: One for the 3rd ODI alone and the other for the rest of the two ODI’s. Gambhir retains the captain’s slot; S. Tiwary and Ashwin too remained in the squad. Neither MS nor Tendulkar are called back from rest. But, Raina has now been given rest for the rest of the series.
Zaheer who missed the third test and first two ODI’s due with groin strain has now been called back. Praveen Kumar too who was dropped after being picked up for the first two matches, due to fever, has made a comeback. Raina might have been rested due to comments received from MS saying the batsman needed a rest. Sreesanth has also been left out. Probably both of them will leave early for SA to prepare for the test series beginning from 16th of December.
The Mumbai Batsman, Rohit Sharma, has also been called back for the third and fifth ODI’s. He was dropped back in August after the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka. But, he won’t be able to play the third ODI as he represents Mumbai in a Ranji Match against Gujarat. This match won’t finish before the third ODI will be played in Vadodara on December 4.
Parthiv Patel also has been called in for the fourth and fifth ODI’s replacing W. Saha. Probably, Saha would also be leaving early for SA tour. The rest of the squad is unchanged. With Kohli and Gautam in good form now I don’t feel it would make a big difference to the India’s winning momentum they currently possess.
It’s really a time to perform for the Kiwi’s if they are to go in the world cup (which will be held later in the sub-continent starting Feb next year) with some ‘self-reliance’. They totally lack the spirit and confidence presently after being badly beaten by the ‘minnows’ Bangladesh on first occasion and to add insult to injury India’s novice team too just choked them off now!! I hope that the Kiwi’s give a good fight now. “Best of luck to Vettori and Co”
Let’s have a look at the squads:
Squad for third ODI: Gautam Gambhir (capt), M Vijay, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, R Vinay Kumar.
Squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Gautam Gambhir (capt), M Vijay, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, Parthiv Patel (wk), R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma.
Tags: Cricket, India, Indian Sports, New Zealand, ODI Series, Parthiv Patel, Praveen Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Sports, Sports India, Zaheer Khan
