 Indian
middle-order batsman Saurabh Tiwary could be making his ODI debut in the
series against the Aussies according to the Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Tiwary, who is from Jharkhand, the same state as the captain has been a part of
the squad for a couple of series now but is yet to play in the ODIs. He had played
in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians apart
from the Champions League T20 and done well on an individual basis.
Dhoni said that Tiwary had an excellent exposure against some of the best bowlers
in the world all through the IPL and Champions League T20 and the time could
be right to give him the chance to play in the matches.
Dhoni pointed out that the left-handed Tiwary could bat lower down the order
where he got the chance to go after the opposition bowling with the batting
powerplay on.
Tiwary is only 20 but had smashed three centuries in five Ranji games last
season at an average of 98.83. He hadn't had a great first couple of IPLs but
in the third IPL, he had gone on to smack 419 runs that included three 50s in
the tournament.
Dhoni also said that with Sehwag, Gambhir and Tendukar out of the side, Murali Viay would open the innings, but failed to give any definitive answers about
the inclusion of Yuvraj Singh. What remains to be seen is whether Dhoni actually
drops Yuvraj Singh from the side despite the absence of the big-name
players in the side.
The other player who came in for a lot of discussion in the press conference
was the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja had started his career as
a batsman who could do his share of bowling, but over time his batting has gone
for a toss while his bowling has improved. He has been able to bowl his ten
overs consistently without any issues but the batting has been a concern.
Dhoni said that Jadeja will need to pull up his socks and try and get the best
out of the batting. He hinted that Jadeja could not expect to retain his place
in the side as a bowler alone and that the Indians needed someone who could
get quickfire 20s and 30s regularly at that position.
India play Australia in a three-match ODI series of which the first
ODI was abandoned due to rain.
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