Team India will take on the Netherlands in the 2022 T20 World Cup on Thursday. It is for the first time that both the nations will be involved in a T20I game. Incidentally, the first ODI encounter between the teams also happened in a World Cup. This was in the 2003 ODI World Cup. In this article, we take a look at the playing XI when India played the Netherlands for the first time in ODIs.
India had a very strong ODI line-up in the early 2000s. They reached the finals of the 2003 ODI World Cup and if not for the underwhelming show in the final, the team could have achieved the almost impossible feat of beating Australia then. Since then, India has faced Netherlands only once more in the ODI format. This was in the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Openers: Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly
It was the popular duo of Sachin and Sourav that played as openers in the playing XI when India played the Netherlands for the first time in ODIs. While Sachin Tendulkar is the mentor of the Mumbai Indians, he has also tried his hand in the Rajya Sabha of the Indian Parliament. Sourav Ganguly was the BCCI President until recently. Right now, it is not sure what move he would take next.
Middle-Order: Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia and Mohammed Kaif
Virender Sehwag is a popular commentator, who gets himself involved in various T20 leagues across the globe. Sehwag is also popular for his activities on social media. Rahul Dravid is the current coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Yuvraj Singh retired from the game a few years ago. A few months ago, he had announced that he would return to the game but there is no news as yet.
Mohammed Kaif was the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals but did not take up the role for IPL 2022. He was also a part of the recent T20 leagues for retired cricketers. Dinesh Mongia has joined BJP and apart from being a politician, he is also the coach of Arunachal Pradesh.
Bowlers: Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath
It was an iconic bowling attack for India in the playing XI when India played the Netherlands for the first time in ODIs. Harbhajan Singh retired from cricket last year. Later, he joined AAP and is an active politician right now. Anil Kumble was the Head Coach of Punjab Kings recently. But the franchise did not extend his contract. He is also involved in TV broadcasting.
Zaheer Khan is with the Mumbai Indians family. Recently, he was promoted within the MI Family after MI Emirates and MI Cape Town teams were procured. Javagal Srinath is an active match referee and still continues to be a part of the profession.
