Who Will Fill Bowlers & All-Rounder Roles for India in the ODIs Against Sri Lanka

India’s upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka presents an opportunity to assess potential candidates for the all-important bowlers and all-rounders roles. With the unavailability of Hardik Pandya, a crucial player who often balances the team composition, India will need to look towards new faces or lesser-utilized players to fill these voids. Here’s an analysis of who might step up in these roles.

All-Rounder Options

India’s search for batters in the top six who can also contribute with the ball has led them to consider Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube. The recent T20I series against Sri Lanka highlighted both players’ skills and offered a look at their capabilities.

Riyan Parag’s adaptability was on display as he bowled his full number of overs in two of the three T20I fixtures. Despite limited bowling opportunities in the IPL 2024 due to the Impact Player rule, Parag has demonstrated his skills and control in the T20I series. His ability to switch between off-spin and leg-breaks depending on match-ups gives him an edge, especially in the middle overs.

Parag’s recent performances in domestic cricket bolster his case. In the 2023-24 Deodhar Trophy, he was East Zone’s second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 4.84. Additionally, his all-round performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he picked up 11 wickets and scored a chart-topping 510 runs, including seven consecutive fifty-plus scores, highlights his form and potential.

Given his consistent performance and versatility, Parag could be a tempting choice for an ODI cap in Colombo. His experience as a sixth bowler for India Emerging in last year’s Asia Cup further strengthens his case.

Shivam Dube has had limited exposure in ODIs, with his sole appearance occurring over five years ago. Despite a successful IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings as a spin-hitter, his bowling workloads across formats have been minimal. While Dube’s batting prowess is noteworthy, his lack of recent bowling form in domestic cricket may place him behind Parag in the pecking order.

Fast Bowling Options

With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj almost certain to feature in India’s first-choice XI, the third seamer spot is up for grabs. Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Harshit Rana are leading the contenders, with Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan also making the list.

Arshdeep Singh has been a consistent performer in T20Is but has limited exposure in ODIs, with only six appearances so far. he’s poised to be Siraj’s right-hand man. Arshdeep’s unique left-arm angle and dual-swing prowess make him a strategic asset, especially during powerplays and death overs.

Khaleel Ahmed, with his knack for swinging the new ball and his impressive 17-wicket haul for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, adds valuable experience to the squad. His inclusion in the ODI team complements his role as a reserve fast bowler for India’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

Harshit Rana is an exciting prospect, known for his bristling pace and ability to bowl into-the-pitch cutters, particularly effective in the death overs. Rana’s performance for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, along with his consistent showing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, makes him a strong contender for a debut in the ODI series.

For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!