4 Indian players who must be restricted to ODIs in white-ball formats

Team India's selection strategy has been infamous for mixing formats in the white-ball game. However, with the ODI World Cup scheduled at home next year, the management cannot afford to make that mistake. In this article, we take a look at four Indian players who must be restricted to ODIs in white-ball formats.

Team India has to ensure that there are specialists restricted to the ODI format. These players must be wired for the 50-over format, at least until the end of next year. This way, they can get better used to the format and will serve the squad better.

1) Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is one of the Indian players who must be restricted to ODIs in white-ball formats. Although Iyer has struggled in the T20 format, the ODI format seems to be tailor-made for his skills. Especially with his game strong against spin, he would be very useful in the ODI World Cup in India. Moreover, in T20s, his best batting position is No.3, which already has strong contenders in Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Hence, it is best if India uses Iyer only for ODIs.

2) Mohammed Shami

If not for the injury to Jasprit Bumrah before the 2022 T20 World Cup, Shami would have not played the event. However, despite not playing T20Is for long, he was still decent in the 2022 T20 WC. However, the management must not persist with him in the format as there are younger and better-equipped bowlers coming through. On the other hand, Shami is effective in ODIs and should play only in the 50-over format.

3) Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill is also one of the Indian players who must be restricted to ODIs in white-ball formats. The opener was recently selected for the Indian T20I Team. Yes, he has done well in the IPL but for the T20I side, the likes of Prithvi Shaw are a better fit at the top of the order. Hence, the management must take a call of having Gill only for the ODIs. The youngster has been in terrific form in the 50-over format and would be the best backup option or even the primary option for one of the opening slots.

4) Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda's best batting position in a T20 XI is at No.3 or to an extent at No.4. Both these spots cannot be displaced in the Indian T20 squad, at least, for now. Since Deepak cannot don the role of a finisher, it is best if he is utilized for ODIs, in which he can also play further down the order. Moreover, India needs bowling options in the Top 6 and by grooming Deepak, they can have one.