India vs Australia: Hemang Badani advises rest for MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in second ODI

The ongoing five-match series between India and Australia was never about the result. With just one series left before the all-important ICC World Cup 2019, the series was all about experimenting in order to finalise the squad. However, Team India did little to show that in the first ODI when they played with a team that is more or less set to take the fields in England and Wales.

And as India get ready for the second ODI in Nagpur, former India batsman Hemang Badani feels the team-management should rest MS Dhoni and Rohit in order to make room for Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Badani said that India are yet to figure out the backup opener and backup wicketkeeper and thus batted for the inclusion of Pant and Rahul in the playing eleven in place of Dhoni and Rohit.

Rahul recently returned to the Indian team and made an instant impact, playing knocks of 47 and 50 against Australia in the T20Is. He, however, last played an ODI during the Asia Cup last year. Pant, who was recalled to the ODI team for this series, has played just three ODIs thus far with all the games coming during his debut series against Windies last year.

“I have believed that the series is not just about winning or losing but also more about finding the side for the World Cup and we still haven’t figured out our second wicketkeeper. I would say give Rishabh Pant the game and at the same time, I would say if possible give Dhoni a rest. He has been batting beautifully. He is your number one keeper for sure. He has enough cricket coming up in IPL. Also, give KL Rahul a go.

He has done well in the T20I contest. Again India still hasn’t figured out the third opener. Everyone knows that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the top two openers, but we still haven’t figured out our third opener. Give Rohit Sharma a break and also give Dhoni a BREAK,” Badani told ESPNCricinfo.

India favourite in Nagpur:

Up 1-0 in the series, India will be looking to make the most of the momentum and win the upcoming game in Nagpur. The stats are firmly in favour of the hosts at this venue. So far, India have played three games against Australia in Nagpur and have won all three.

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