The Men in Blue saw the three-match one-day series in New Zealand as a starting point for their preparations for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. There are a few spots available, particularly in the batting department, even though many of the current seniors are likely to be on the team for the ICC event next year.
Some of the younger players had the chance to compete for a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup squad because big names like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul were rested for the tour of New Zealand.
The players were unable to make the most of their chances because the games were constantly hindered by the rain. The results were largely mixed in the few opportunities they had.
We look at how much the New Zealand One-Day Internationals helped Team India find new batters for the 2023 World Cup as the series came to a close.
Shreyas Iyer is exceptional
Shreyas Iyer stood head and shoulders above the rest of Team India’s young batters in the one-day series in New Zealand. He played fantastic innings in Auckland, scoring the most runs with 80 from 76 deliveries. Shreyas’s short-ball woes remain a concern, but his consistency cannot be ignored either.
Throughout his half-century in the first match, he appeared to be in complete control. After the team faltered in the middle overs, he maturely rebuilt the innings. He batted very skillfully up until his dismissal in the third ODI in Christchurch.
Shreyas did not play in Australia’s T20 World Cup, which just ended. However, if the prolific batter does not make Team India’s ODI World Cup squad next year, it would be surprising.
SKY’s a work in progress in ODIs
It is too early to determine whether Suryakumar Yadav can replicate his exceptional T20I form in one-dayers. SKY is a work in progress in ODIs.On the other hand, one thing is certain. His batting is still a work in progress in the 50-over format.
He was dismissed in an ungainly manner twice in the series, in the first and final ODI, while poking at deliveries outside the off stump. He will absolutely need to work on this part of his game.
During the second one-dayer in Hamilton, which lasted only 12.5 overs, SKY also showed signs of his T20 form.
He made some impressive shots over the fence in his 34* off 25. There is no reason why he cannot succeed in the 50-over game as well if we can improve his technique in the format.
Washington Sundar
An all-rounder, impressed the most with the bat for India, outperforming Shreyas in the middle-order audition. Even though he only got two chances to bat in the ODI series, his versatility with the willow was evident. In both games, in Auckland and Christchurch, the left-hander entered at various points and modified his approach in response to the circumstances.
The Men in Blue needed quick runs in the first ODI. Sundar rose to the occasion, scoring 37* off 16 deliveries, including three fours and as many sixes. The visitors were able to surpass the 300-run mark in the innings thanks to his efforts.
Transfer to Christchurch. The need of the hour was for someone to persevere and resist with determination. In the 26th over, after the team had lost half of its players for 121, Sundar walked in.
Before he was run out, the 23-year-old kept the innings together and made sure the visitors at least reached 219 before he was run out.
India must look to make the most of Sundar, a high-quality utility player. In the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup, he can be trained as a middle-order batter. He could also be a potential X factor for India in the ICC event at home due to his bowling abilities.