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Should India rest Ashwin, Ishant for the Auckland ODI? Tell us!
India lost the No 1 ODI ranking after a 15-run defeat in a rain-truncated second One-Day International against New Zealand, in Hamilton, on Wednesday.
The loss gave the Kiwis a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Whenever a team loses successive matches it boils to individual performances. Yes, cricket is a team sport alright, but isn't it individuals who make the team?
As far as Team India is concerned, the likes of Virat Kohli, Mohammad Shami and captain Mahendra Singh Dhon) have been consistent. However, there are many who have failed to deliver. A few efforts stick out like a sore thumb.
- PHOTOS form the Hamilton ODI
As in the first match of the series, which was lost by 24 runs, India paid the price for a poor showing by their openers Wednesday's second ODI. With a Duckworth/Lewis target of 297 in 42 overs, Rohit Sharma and Shikar Shawan could put together just 22 runs after 7.4 overs.
However, in this case there's a clear lack of options.
Besides, India suffered from the profligacy of both Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Yes, all the bowlers leaked runs, but others like Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumaer were effective at some point.
Having failed to make any impact whatsoever, should Ishant and Ashwin be dropped for the Auckland game?
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Should India rest Ashwin, Ishant for the Auckland ODI? Tell us!
While Ishant at least has a couple of wickets to show for his prodigal ways, Ashwin cannot even boast of that.
The off-spinner has gone wicket-less in both the matches, with the New Zealand batsmen tackling him admirably.
Dhoni has so far backed his bowlers. But for how long can he justify their failures?
One more defeat will see Team India concede the series.
Isn't it too risky to continue with under performers at this juncture?
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- Tell us!
Should India rest Ashwin, Ishant for the Auckland ODI? Tell us!
In the final analysis, it is the failure of some key players that has proved the team’s undoing.
The third ODI is on Saturday in Auckland. Should the tourists effect some changes in the eleven?
Shouldn't Amit Mishra or Varun Aaron/Ishwar Pandey come in for Ashwin and Ishant?
What India must do to get back to winning ways?
- Tell us!