The two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia offer India one last chance to fine tune their squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup in May. Though majority of the squad for the World Cup has been finalised, a couple of spots still remain up for grabs.
The series against Australia will give the selectors a chance to make up their mind on the back-up opener’s slot, which till a month back was a certainty with KL Rahul leading the way. The other spot up for debate is the back-up seamer with Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat throwing their names in the mix with impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy knockout matches.
The likes of Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj have failed to sufficiently make a case to cement their places.
Skipper Virat Kohli and paceman Jasprit Bumrah are expected to return for the Australia series. “The selectors had decided to rotate the players. The Indian team plays so much cricket throughout the year, the players need enough time to rest and recover. With Kohli returning, vice-captain Rohit Sharma might be rested for the T20 ties,” a senior BCCI official told CricketNext.
