After a remarkable victory over England, defeating them 4-1 in the five-match T20 series, the Indian cricket team is now gearing up for the upcoming ODI series. The first ODI is set to take place in Nagpur on February 6. During their practice sessions, the Indian players were seen putting in significant effort, with cricketing legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showcasing impressive shots. Additionally, star players KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant appeared to be in great form on the field. However, recent observations during practice suggest that Rishabh Pant may not feature in the squad for the first ODI against England. KL Rahul may take the wicketkeeper’s role, or both players might appear in the lineup together. Let’s explore what India’s playing eleven for the first ODI could potentially look like.
The Return to Form for Rohit and Virat
For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the year 2024 has felt like a nightmare, having faced considerable challenges in their Test performances last year. With the dawn of a new year and a different format, both players are eager to reclaim their rhythm. In the nets, they displayed their signature batting styles, practicing against fast bowlers and executing shots in all directions. Rohit was spotted playing reverse sweeps, while Kohli also focused on straight shots.
KL Rahul Focuses on Keeping, Rishabh Pant Prioritizes Batting
During the practice session, KL Rahul honed his wicketkeeping skills alongside his batting, indicating a possible shift in roles. Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, concentrated more on his batting techniques. Observations from the practice session suggest that if Rahul takes up wicketkeeping duties in the ODI series against England, Pant may find himself on the bench, although it’s also feasible for both players to feature in the lineup.
Predicting India’s Playing XI Against England
It is widely believed that the opening partnership for India will consist of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, followed by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. Pant or Rahul may fill the fifth batting position, while Hardik Pandya is expected to take on the all-rounder role at number six. After a long hiatus, Mohammad Shami’s return to the ODI team seems certain, having provided valuable practice in the nets for Rohit and Virat. Alongside Shami, Aakash Deep Singh and Harshit Rana might contribute in the pace department. In terms of spin options, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are anticipated to feature prominently. Additionally, the surprise entry of Varun Chakravarthy could also materialize, potentially at the expense of Kuldeep.
Potential Debuts for Two Players
If India’s playing eleven remains as predicted, two players could make their ODI debuts: Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy. Both have yet to play in this format, with Harshit having debuted in Tests during the Australia series and T20s against England. Varun, who has primarily competed in T20Is since his debut in 2021, could finally get a shot at the ODI level.
India’s Likely Playing XI for the First ODI
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Rishabh Pant/KL Rahul
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammad Shami
- Aakash Deep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy