India suffered a shocking 0-2 defeat in the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Last year, India were undefeated until the final in the Cricket World Cup, while SL had to play Qualifiers to make it to the mega event. This was the first time India suffered a bilateral ODI series defeat at the hands of the island nation since 1997.
The Indian team will not play any more ODI matches until the year 2025. Their next series is against England, right before the ICC Champions Trophy. To ensure that the team does not crumble further, here’s a list of three bold changes the Men in Blue must make.
1. India should not leave out experienced all-rounders like they did for series against Sri Lanka
There is no match for experience in the world of cricket. While Hardik Pandya was unavailable for personal reasons for this series, the team management surprisingly rested Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja for this series as well.
Considering how the team management urged Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play this series, they should have picked Bumrah and Jadeja as well. Nevertheless, India should not repeat this error in 2025.
2. India should give a long run to Sanju Samson in ODIs
Sanju Samson scored a hundred on South African soil in his last ODI match. Still, he was not picked in the squad for the recent series against Sri Lanka. For some reason, the team management has never given him a long run in ODIs. Perhaps, it is time to do the same now.
3. Try a left-handed opener with Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill was recently named the vice-captain of India, but India probably needs a left-handed opener with Rohit Sharma at the top for better success. Gill can always walk into the team when Rohit is out, but when Rohit is here, either Ishan Kishan, Shikhar Dhawan or Yashasvi Jaiswal should open with him.
