Subhayan Chakraborty in Lucknow
As the clock ticks down to the clash between India and the defending champions, England, in the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup on October 29 in Lucknow, all eyes are on the home side’s potential team combination for the game. The squad continued their preparations with an optional session on Friday at the scorching BRSABV International Cricket Stadium, where key questions surrounding the composition of the playing XI loomed large.
The practice session saw the likes of India captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin take centre stage. However, the focus shifted to Mohammed Shami, who had made a significant impact with a stellar five-wicket haul against New Zealand in Dharamsala.
Shami commenced the day with a fiery 15-minute spell against Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. His deliveries were seamers, consistently challenging Gill and Kishan with impeccable line and length. Although Shami’s spell wasn’t extensive, it served as a reminder of the kind of form he is in. With the Lucknow pitch expected to provide assistance to spinners, India’s team management is contemplating the inclusion of Ashwin. The question, however, remains about how to compensate for the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya.
A pivotal decision that the team management faces is whether to exclude Shami from the playing XI. In 2023, Shami has been in impressive form in the 50-over format, taking 24 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 21.04 and a strike rate of 23.50. The alternative consideration revolves around Mohammed Siraj, the second-best ranked bowler. Siraj has displayed moments of brilliance during the tournament, but he has only managed to secure six wickets in five matches thus far.
A closer look at the practice session also revealed the team’s intent to ensure that the lower-order batters are well-prepared as the focus shifted towards sharpening their batting skills. While Shami spent an extended period at the nets, engaging in discussions with net bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav and Siraj also took their turns with the bat.
The preparations also saw specialised drills tailored to address specific challenges. Like Shreyas Iyer underwent specialised training to handle shorter deliveries in Chennai, Shubman Gill went through a similar drill on Friday perhaps to tackle the express pace of Mark Wood.