The focus, at present, is primarily on T20s when it comes to white-ball cricket as barely six months remain for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the US, beginning on June 4.
In between, India and South Africa play a three-ODI series starting on Sunday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. With several big names from both teams not featuring in this series, India’s area of attention will be on the youngsters and the reserves
who are set to have their share of opportunities in these three games.
The next ODI World Cup in 2027 is still quite far away. But as far as India are concerned, they would certainly want the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar to make use of the chances coming their way and be well prepared. That’s because no one’s sure if the stalwarts who featured in this year’s World Cup will be available in 2027.
With Shubman Gill rested in order to be fresh for the two Tests against the Proteas and Shreyas Iyer too not available after Sunday’s game, Gaikwad, Sudharsan and Patidar may all feature in the two ODIs thereafter. Gaikwad though has been in fine rhythm after his exploits at the top in the recent home T20Is against the Matthew Wade-led Australia.
Agreed, the Australian bowling was second-string but Gaikwad’s shot selection and his ability to change gears do bode well for him as well as for India. As his opening partner, Gaikwad is likely to have Sudharsan on Sunday too, unless the Indian team management has any surprise up its sleeve.
Rinku is likely to make his ODI debut on Sunday, while it remains to be seen the response KL Rahul comes up with since he’s also the captain of the side. Being the senior-most in the team, Rahul does have the responsibility of leading from the front
while his route to establish himself as one of India’s captaincy prospects in the shorter versions (at least in 50-over cricket) also begins from this ODI series.
The Wanderers will turn pink on Sunday with the Proteas wearing pink jerseys for breast-cancer awareness. To talk of the pitch, strokeplay shouldn’t be a problem, but it remains to be seen if there will again be good purchase for the spinners.
