Dhoni included for ODIs against Australia, here's the complete squad
What's the story
Today, the BCCI announced the Indian squad for the ODIs against Australia and the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand. After being ignored for the T20I series against Australia, former Indian captain MS Dhoni has staged a comeback for all the three major series, ahead of the 2019 World Cup. Interestingly, Dinesh Karthik also found a place in the squad. Here's the squad.
Information
The complete squad for ODI series against Australia and NZ
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami
Schedule
India's upcoming matches ahead of the World Cup
This team has given us an idea about the 2019 ICC World Cup squad. The matches are scheduled to be held on January 12 (Sydney), January 15 (Adelaide) and January 18 (Melbourne). Post the Australia battle, the Indian cricket team will tour New Zealand where they will be taking on the Black Caps in a five-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series.
Twitter Post
Here is the squad for the T20I series against NZ
India’s squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Virat(Capt), Rohit (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 24, 2018
Analysis
Analyzing the squad, comebacks and snubs
The selectors have shown their confidence in Hardik Pandya by including him in the squad. He was out of action for quite some time due to an injury. Interestingly, despite his poor performance in the Tests, KL Rahul has still found a place in the ODI squad. For selectors, DK is still the second choice wicket-keeper in ODIs. Notably, Umesh Yadav has been ignored.
Schedule
India's complete schedule for the New Zealand series
India will take on the Black Caps in a five-match ODI series starting from January 23 (Napier), followed by matches on January 26 (Mount Maunganui), January 28 (Mount Maunganui), January 31 (Hamilton) and February 3 (Wellington). The T20I series commences from February 6 (Wellington), followed by ties on February 8 (Auckland), and February 10 (Hamilton).