Umesh Yadav last played ODI cricket in July
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
India have recalled the pace duo of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami to their squad for the first three ODIs of the upcoming five-match series against Australia.
Umesh and Shami both missed the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, but featured in the 50-over format when India visited the West Indies for a limited overs series back in July.
In that series, Umesh took seven wickets in five games at an average of 22.42, while Shami claimed four wickets in two matches at an average of 20.25.
Meanwhile, spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will miss the entire series as they have been rotated out of the squad, according to chairman of selectors MSK Prasad. This is the second consecutive ODI series that Ashwin and Jadeja will miss as they didn’t feature in the recent five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which India won 5-0.
With the duo out, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will make up the spin attack for India.
“The team for the three ODIs against Australia has been selected in line with the rotation policy of the board and accordingly R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested,” Prasad said. “The team’s performance during the Sri Lanka tour was outstanding and players like Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, who performed very well are being given an extended run and this will in turn supplement our approach, to build a strong reserve strength, as we prepare for forthcoming tours.”
All-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah also retained their spots following strong performances against Sri Lanka.
In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Pandya took four wickets in four games, while Bumrah finished with 15 wickets in five matches at an average of 11.26.
The first three ODIs between India and Australia will be held in Chennai, Kolkata and Indore on September 17, 21 and 24 respectively.
India’s squad for first three ODIs: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami