(Cricket news) India lost the 1st ODI against Bangladesh by 1 wicket yesterday. The series in New Zealand before that was a massive disappointment. The ODI World Cup is coming up next year and as of now the men in blue are in no position to challenge for the trophy. More than the defeat it was the nature of the defeat which must have hurt the men in blue. There are a lot of things to consider with players getting injured and Rishabh Pant withdrawing from the series just before it began. India have the home advantage but it will mean nothing if they continue to play like this.

I hope there is not too much chopping and changing. I also hope there is not too much of giving a break now. Then the combination takes a long time to gel when you come into the World Cup. And then in the World Cup, there are no matches where you can afford to lose. It is very important that the core plays all matches

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar

There have been reports suggesting that the 3 format players will focus on ODIs and Tests as the T20Is will have to take a backseat which is a good decision. But as Gavaskar said the core will have to play all the matches. India have tried the chop and change system and it didn’t work. Resting players hasn’t prevented injuries as two of India’s most important players Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah missed the T20 World Cup. 

Yes there will be an odd player coming in somewhere when you need an extra bowler or a batter. But the core has to play every single one-day game. No rest. You are playing for India. No rest. You want to win the World Cup. And for that, you need that combination to be absolutely gelling every single game

Sunil Gavaskar

The team needs to settle down and play matches together as a whole. If India do try out too many players then it will only lead to more and more confusion. Players, especially the ones with not much experience need to be backed more. Venkatesh Iyer is a prime example of someone who was thrown into the international scene and wasn’t backed before dropping.

India will be playing 18 ODIs before the Asia Cup and the World Cup and senior players should not take rest for those games. These 18 matches should test the team and help the management figure out what combination works the best.

Also read: India aim to level series after underwhelming display in the 1st ODI