India vs Australia: Why is Yuzvendra Chahal Not Playing Today’s IND vs AUS 1st ODI? Check India Playing XI

Unfortunately, right-arm leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has once again failed to find a spot in the India playing 11 for the India vs Australia 1st ODI match being played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Team India have been rotating their players a lot in the recent while to select the best possible playing combination for this year’s ODI World Cup at home. The Indian side also managed to win both of their previous two ODI series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home earlier this calendar year.

India vs Australia: Why is Yuzvendra Chahal Not Playing Today’s IND vs AUS 1st ODI? 

After winning an important toss and opting to bowl first, India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya revealed that the hosts are going ahead with just two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav for the opening game against Australia. This means that right-arm legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal will have to warm the bench. During the recent while, Chahal has slowly become the third choice spinner in this Indian bowling attack due to his inconsistent performance while Kuldeep has emerged as a brilliant wicket-taking bowler for the national team as seen during the last two ODI series at home against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

From 79 ODI matches, Kuldeep has managed to take as many as 130 wickets at an economy of 5.20. On the other hand, Chahal has picked up a total of 121 wickets from 72 ODI games at an economy of 5.27.

“We’ll bowl first. It is a good track and dew factor will be there. We feel we will do well in the second innings. I got some time off, breaks are like gold dust for me so it gave me a chance to rest and improve. Playing for India every game and every format is important. With this being a WC year, the ODI format is important. We’ve gone with four quicks – Shardul, Shami, myself and Siraj. Two spinners in Jadeja and Kuldeep,” said Indian skipper Hardik Pandya during the toss.

India Playing XI

1. Shubman Gill
2. Ishan Kishan
3. Virat Kohli
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. KL Rahul (wk)
6. Hardik Pandya (C)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Mohammed Siraj