Cheteshwar Pujara Picks His Current ODI World XI, Shreyas Iyer Finds No Mention
Cheteshwar Pujara has named his current ODI World XI ahead of the five-match series between India and New Zealand.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has named his current ODI World XI ahead of the five-match series between India and New Zealand, leaving out England's white-ball captain Harry Brook, who recently smashed the fastest double century in ODI history. Pujara named Indian batting heavyweights Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as his preferred opening pair, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 3 and England great Joe Root at No. 4, as per Cricinfo. Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was included at No. 5, while West Indies captain Shai Hope featured at No. 6. South African all-rounder Marco Jansen was also named in the playing XI.
In the bowling department, Pujara selected India's left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, alongside ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, New Zealand's Matt Henry and West Indies seamer Jayden Seales.
Rohit was named captain of the side, with Pujara's selection featuring players from India, England, South Africa, New Zealand and the West Indies.
The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer stands out, given his role in India's ODI middle order. Pujara's XI also does not include young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal or any player from Pakistan.
Pujara's selection comes ahead of the India-New Zealand ODI series, with the two sides set to compete in a five-match contest.
Cheteshwar Pujara's current ODI World XI: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Joe Root, KL Rahul (wk), Shai Hope, Marco Jansen, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Matt Henry, Jayden Seales.
Pujara picked his playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand starting from November 19 onwards. After five T20Is and ODIs each starting from November 22 onwards, India will be playing two important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) matches against NZ, with the first one scheduled from November 19 at Wellington and the second one from November 27 at Christchurch.
As per a video posted by Cricinfo, Pujara persists with the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal and gives Devdutt Padikkal a number three spot after his heroics in Sri Lanka, where he made two centuries.
Skipper Shubman Gill takes his usual number four spot, followed by wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel at number five and six.
The spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be India's sole spin option at number seven, followed by pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy at number eight.
The tail-end will be formed by Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj.
Cheteshwar Pujara's playing XI for 1st Test against New Zealand (via Cricinfo): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj; Prasidh Krishna.
The batting line-up features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, while Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel provide wicketkeeping options. Pant's availability is subject to fitness clearance
In the bowling department, India have included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj to strengthen the pace attack.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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