THE Indian team management’s decision to rest seniors from the One-Day Internationals against the West Indies was a smart strategy that was needed to test the other contenders before the selectors pick the final squad for the forthcoming 50-over World Cup. Though the seniors including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were part of the first ODI, they did the right thing to promote the other players up the order while chasing a meagre target. Same was the case in the second game when the two batters were ‘rested’ while allowing the other promising batsmen to stake their claim. The dubious nature of the pitch in the first two games did not allow the others to do much but it was a pretty good exposure for the youngsters that will definitely help them in honing their skills as well as match temperament. The West Indies tour was supposed to be a testing ground for a few Indian players to finalise combinations ahead of the Asia Cup and the ICC One-Day World Cup scheduled in October-November. Like they did in the Tests, India were marked to dominate the ODI series too and it was logical to test out some players who were knocking on the doors of the national team. Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mukesh Kumar did get their chance in the Test series which they grabbed with both hands. The One-Day series also had slots for the taking and the team management would now mark the players who could become natural back-up for those places.

 

While the series was supposed to be auditions for the youngsters before the grand show, it was also an opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav to replicate his Twenty20 heroics in One-Dayers. The Mumbai batsman seems still bogged down by the reputation he has created for himself. Yadav could not fire in the first two ODIs on a sluggish pitch. He would definitely get some more chances to prove his mettle but the short series should also help in revisit his approach to the shorter format. In both the games, Yadav was found a bit nervy right from the start. He started to go for the big shots from the word go and paid for the approach. Yadav can be the X-factor India would need in the World Cup in domestic conditions. He has already exhibited the potential he possesses for each format of the game. The number four slot is a crucial position that Yadav can easily make his domain, at least in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. He needs to shift focus on the basics needed for the ODI game. There is no doubting his ability but Yadav can do well for himself if he concentrates on the basic rule of staying put on the wicket. One-Day cricket might be a limited-time format but it also needs patience and concentration. Being a student of the Mumbai school of cricket, Yadav knows the importance of the two traits. All he needs is a comforting hand on the shoulder and words of assurance.