Mumbai: Australia has implemented three modifications to their victorious 2023 ODI World Cup squad in preparation for the forthcoming Champions Trophy, with two of these changes necessitated by retirement and injury. It is anticipated that the runners-up, India, will maintain a similar approach, considering the limited ODI matches played since the tournament.

Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee is set to announce India’s 15-member squad for the ICC event on Saturday, alongside the three ODIs against England commencing on February 6.

Rohit Sharma has been appointed captain as of Friday, despite a challenging six-month period in international cricket, indicating that the selectors are not in a state of panic.

The foundation of the 2023 batting lineup is expected to remain largely unchanged. However, the effectiveness of India’s bowling attack will depend on the fitness of their leading fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, and primary spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.

Bumrah was unable to bowl during the second innings of the Sydney Test due to back spasms, placing the onus on the selectors to evaluate his fitness for selection.

Currently, Bumrah has not resumed bowling, and his situation will be approached with caution due to his history of injuries. The selectors have until a week before the tournament, which begins on February 19, to assess his match readiness.

Kuldeep has started bowling and batting in the nets at the National Cricket Academy and is reported to be nearing full recovery. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took 18 wickets in the Vijay Hazare ODI trophy, is available as a backup.

The selection of Ravindra Jadeja remains uncertain; he may face competition from Axar Patel. The decision regarding the inclusion of these two similar spinners will depend on the anticipated condition of the pitches in Dubai. India will exclusively play their matches in Dubai, while other teams will also compete in Pakistan.

All-rounder Nitish Reddy's value has increased, although Hardik Pandya is already a confirmed selection. Reddy is likely to be included if India seeks additional all-round options. The fast-bowling unit will likely consist of Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and the returning Mohammed Shami.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to be selected for his inaugural ODI tournament, despite the impressive performances of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as openers in the 50-over format.

Three wicketkeepers, two positions

Jaiswal stands out as the sole left-handed option among the candidates for the top six batting slots, which keeps Rishabh Pant in consideration for the wicketkeeper-batter role, a key aspect of India's ODI composition. 

Pant has yet to fully excel in the middle-overs phase, which is vital in ODI cricket. KL Rahul has effectively established himself in the middle order, although concerns regarding his fitness as a wicketkeeper may necessitate additional options. Additionally, Sanju Samson's remarkable batting style cannot be overlooked. The selectors face the challenge of choosing the two most suitable candidates from Rahul, Pant, and Samson.

There is considerable discussion regarding the selectors' perceived lack of emphasis on domestic performances. If domestic statistics were prioritized, batter Karun Nair, known for his Test triple century on debut, would be a strong contender based on his impressive tally of 752 runs in just 7 innings during the Vijay Hazare ODIs.

However, the only player he might replace is Shreyas Iyer, who has performed admirably with 530 runs in the 2023 World Cup. Ultimately, the decisions made by the selectors will be significant, as they will indicate the seriousness of the ongoing discussions about a potential overhaul.

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