Thakur over Saini? Twitter furious over exclusion of Navdeep Saini

Most anticipated India-Australia ODI series has kicked off at Wankhede today. Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and sent India in first. But there are a couple of interesting selections in the Indian team.

The most interesting decision from Indian team management was of dropping Navdeep Saini after a promising start to his international career this home season. Shardul Thakur was given preference because of his batting credentials.

Navdeep Saini dropped after a brilliant outing against SL

Navdeep Saini has that pace in his armoury that can hurry on any batsman. But Indian team management tends to go for options that offer contributions in more than one department of the game. But still, the decision was against the general feeling before the start of the game.

Virat Kohli at No 4

In another interesting move, India has opted to play both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul. And that will mean Virat Kohli should bat at No 4. Experts are also having mixed opinions on that. One side of the coin is to play best 5 in-form batsmen and on the other side, ViratKohli and ShreyasIyer could be batting out of their positions due to that move.

Fans react

Fans took to Twitter immediately to post their reactions about team selections. And most of them were not happy with the decision of dropping Saini.

Imagine dropping Saini after those world class middle overs spells?
Those push back, push back deliveries and then bang, a firing yorker. That was so orgasmic to watch.

— ? (@DrogonDracarys_) January 14, 2020

Bigger and relevant issues than Kohli playing at No.4 in this line-up:

Iyer at 5
Thakur over Saini
Only 5 bowling options with Jadeja and Thakur being 2 of the 5

— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) January 14, 2020

When Kohli drops Saini for Shardul @AskRishabh @Boomrah_ @IndianMourinho @sumitmattoo pic.twitter.com/cvhqlsx9NY

— Suyash Shukla (@suyashshukla_) January 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/Boomrah_/status/1216988048107327488?s=19

> Kohli batting no 4

> Shardul in for Saini

> Kulcha completely gone

> Gave 1 chance to dube dropped him for no reason

Before selecting playing 11 Kohli and Ravi Shastri dress like #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/PQirTu1rYJ

— Sai (@akakrcb6) January 14, 2020

Saini For Best in Odi Than Thakur.

Saini bowl 135km to 150km Speed.

What the hell r going in Team management, blunder.?

— ಶಾಂತರಾಜ್(ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ)Shantharaj.?????? (@Shantha78227320) January 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/kohlistic18/status/1216990357893701632?s=19

KL and Iyer batting out of position and Saini has been benched for Shardul!

Peak Kohli captaincy #INDvAUS

— Chiggy Viggy (@IdlySambhar) January 14, 2020

MarnusLabuschagne debuts for Australia

Marnus Labuschagne became Australia’s 229^th ODI cricketer when he received his cap from Steve Waugh at Wankhede. Marnus is in terrific form in longer version of the game during last year. He was highest run-scorer on the International circuit in 2019. He is expected to bat at No 3 for Australia. In another decision, Australia decided to leave out Josh Hazlewood and bring in Kane Richardson. Kane Richardson is rated highly in Australian cricket with regards to his death bowling abilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3Z6FDBPm4