By: Tarish Bhatt
Team India has already lost the T20 series, after going down in the first two games, and apart from saving some pride in the final match of the series, there is nothing much left for the men in blue in it.
But, despite being a dead rubber, the Indian team management can use it as a good platform for test the bench strength ahead of the five-match ODI series, starting October 11 in Kanpur.
“We have lost the series here, but we still have a lot to play for in the final game,” Harbhajan Singh said. “The ODIs are coming up and then the Test matches. We want to play our best game tomorrow and we want to put up our best show.”
Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny and Amit Mishra are yet to feature in the series, and the 3rd T20 would be an ideal opportunity to test them. Rahane, in particular, has been mainly warming the bench lately, and with Ambati Rayudu’s successive flop outings, he might well be drafted into the squad.
The Indian team management, however, cannot temper with the batting order at large seeing this is a one-off blip in their form at home atleast. And, going by the current run of form, Rayudu’s place is at risk right now because Rahane has been India’s run-machine in overseas tours.
“Rahane is a quality player and there is no doubt about it,” Harbhajan Singh insisted. “All depends on the team management as to what they feel will be the best team combination to win the game and going forward. Let’s see what they decide.”
Stuart Binny, meanwhile, is also looking for his opportunity and he may well replace Axar Patel in the playing XI. He is the only genuine all-rounder in the squad, and if he is in the team he should play. It would be interesting to see whether Amit Mishra get his first game.
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