Cricket

Dhoni likely to rest Gambhir for Australia ODI

By yours on | From watchlivecricket.cricketmove.com

Gautam Gambhir likely to be sit out of Australia one-day in Sydney on Friday

Defending the rotation policy between the three veteran India openers in triangular one-day international series, skipper has hinted that in-form Gautam Gambhir could be sit out in the match against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday.

Gambhir, the left-handed opener produced back-to-back vigils in 90s in his last two innings. He scored 92 against Australia in Sydney at WACA on Sunday to help India secure a six-wicket victory and slammed 91 against Sri Lanka in the tied game at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Dhoni had several reasons to endorse rotation policy, with maintaining the player’s fitness for the finals and grooming youngsters for the next World Cup Down Under leading among them.

We want to have all players fit by finals: Dhoni

“What we also want is to have all the players fit by the finals, if we make it. We should therefore give the youngsters enough exposure. We want all of them to be among runs. Rohit (Sharma) we all know is a very talented player, we also have Manoj Tiwary, who scored a century in the last ODI he had played,” said Dhoni.

“We are giving ample chances to them because these are the players who will almost certainly come back to Australia when we play the next World Cup. There is no guarantee about some of us, including Sachin (Tendulkar), Viru (Sehwag) and even Gautam (Gambhir) as we are all 30 plus,” he added.

With 10 points in fours games, India are topping the points table. Australia are present on second spot with 9 points in three games while Sri Lanka are sitting at bottom with 2 points with no victory.

Team’s interest comes first: Dhoni

When asked that how difficult it will be tough to ask Gambhir to sit out, Dhoni said:

“The interest of the team comes first and this is the time we should look to do that. Suppose we have some injuries by the end of the first leg, then we may not be in a position to give others a chance.

Now we are in a position where we can do that. It’s good to see Gautam getting runs, we want to see Sehwag get runs and Sachin also to get runs. The best eleven will come and play the finals.”

Ultimately, doing well in the tournament means doing well in the finals also,” he said.