There is a strong argument in favour of resting the two experienced batters. India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final are slim, and the upcoming Test series in New Zealand is considerably more important in the context of their red-ball ambitions. Getting Gill and Rahul fresh and ready for those two Tests is understandable.
However, there is another side to this argument. Surely, playing a proper international match offers a different kind of preparation from spending hours in the nets?
Gill and Rahul have not had much time in the middle during the first two completed ODIs. Gill faced just 57 deliveries across his two innings, while Rahul managed only 43. In Rahul’s case, his opportunities were further restricted by being pushed down the order, behind Axar Patel, in both matches.
Would two more ODIs have given them a better opportunity to find their rhythm before the Test series?
Of course, there is a distinction between white-ball and red-ball cricket. The demands on a batter are different, particularly in terms of patience, shot selection and concentration. But the experience of handling international bowling, dealing with pressure and spending time at the crease cannot be replicated entirely in practice sessions.
Opinions will understandably be divided. The team management may believe that rest and focused red-ball preparation are more valuable at this stage. But there is a reasonable case for allowing two of India’s most experienced batters to get some much-needed time in the middle.
There is another player who should feature in the final two ODIs: Mohammed Siraj. He has not played since India A’s practice match and is almost certain to be part of the Test plans. Giving him some game time before the red-ball assignment would make considerable sense.
With the series still alive, India must balance the desire to win with the need to prepare for the Tests. But perhaps these objectives need not be mutually exclusive.
