Online Sports Desk
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna will miss the third and final ODI of the ongoing three-match series between India and West Indies on Saturday (October 3). The Karnataka-based pacer was ruled out of the third 50-over match on Thursday after suffering an injury while bowling in the second ODI between the two teams in Guwahati on Wednesday.
As his replacement, the BCCI selectors have added uncapped fast bowler Anshul Kamboj to India’s ODI squad, but he is unlikely to be part of the playing XI. Instead, there is a strong possibility that Mohammed Siraj will return to the playing XI and lead India’s bowling attack, which conceded 405 runs in the second ODI.
Siraj was surprisingly left out of India’s playing XI for the first two matches, and in his absence, the Indian pacers struggled to keep the West Indies batters under control.
In addition to Siraj, there is a strong possibility of Nitish Kumar Reddy returning to India’s playing XI. Nitish was rested for the second ODI, with Auqib Nabi Dar making his India debut in his place. However, the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir failed to take a wicket and conceded 84 runs in his 8.5 overs.
Despite already sealing the series, India are unlikely to make any changes to their top three of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, unless there is a last-minute injury concern. Yashasvi Jaiswal is part of India’s ODI squad, but the young left-handed batter from Mumbai is likely to continue warming the bench.
Naman Dhir has played both ODIs so far for India but has not got a chance to bat on either occasion. He will be hoping to get some time in the middle in the third ODI, and the same is the case with KL Rahul. The wicketkeeper-batter has not got a chance to bat so far in the series.
In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav has impressed with his performances in the ongoing series, but the other bowlers have struggled to contain runs as well as take wickets.
India’s probable playing XI for 3rd ODI against the West Indies: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (WK), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
