Related Links : England in India 2008/09
Sachin Tendulkar as expected has been included in the One Day squad for the next two ODIs at Bangalore and Cuttack. Making way for him is Murali Vijay, who unfortunately didn’t get an opportunity in the first three ODIs of the ongoing 7-match series against England. What was surprising was the recall of Irfan Pathan who comes in for RP Singh. Irfan Pathan comes back to national reckoning after some much needed success in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Super League.
For Tendulkar, it is a long return after more than 8 months. The last time he had played ODI Cricket was during the CB Series in Australia. Tendulkar’s return will boost the Indian batting line-up further and he might replace either Suresh Raina or Rohit Sharma in the playing XI. Irfan Pathan might struggle to make the XI for now as India would look to seal the series 4-0 at Bengaluru. The Selectors have named the squad for just the two upcoming matches and have the option of testing some rookies in the final two games. One of the rookies who is likely to make the squad is the sensational Cheteshwara Pujara.
India’s Squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs : Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Irfan Pathan