Lack of match practice for ODI specialists a concern for India: Anil Kumble

India’s three-match One-day International series against Australia kicks off on 12 January 2019. The limited-overs specialists have already joined the side and are practising hard. With the home team not looking as strong, India surely goes into this series as the favourites. Moreover, the Aussies have brought in some new faces and made some surprising axings for this series.

Even though the Indian side looks strong on paper, there are a few issues as per former head coach Anil Kumble. India last played an ODI against Windies at the start of November last year. There were a few T20I games played after that. With such a long break in between, a majority of the cricketers who joined the squad haven’t had any match practice of late. This is the same point which is bothering Kumble.

India starts favourites, but…

“Australia is a weaker side because the regular bowlers who play in the one-day format are not playing. But having said that if you look at seven or eight players who are joining the Indian ODI squad, they have hardly played any cricket. That is my only concerning factor I would look at.

“You know in terms of ability in terms of what India has done in the One Dayers in recent past, I think India should start favourites but for me the only concern is that the seven or eight players in the ODI squad are joining in when just tomorrow or day after just two days prior to the first match. And they have hardly played any matches leading up to the One Dayers. That’s a bit of a concern for me,” said the former leg-spinner while speaking to cricketnext.com.

Also, Anil Kumble batted for Rishabh Pant representing India in all the three formats. The 48-year-old said that Pant has got the ability to change the game within no time and added that the youngster has shown what he is capable of in the IPL.

“He should be…He should be part of the squad in all three formats. I mean if he can play Test cricket and score the runs at run a ball, the way he plays he changes the game and we know what he can do in the T20 you have seen in the IPL. I think he should be playing all three formats,” he said.

Watch: Flop XI of AUSvIND Test series

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.