ODI cricket is one of the most followed forms of the game. The premier Cricket World Cup is played under this format, which shows the popularity of this 50-over-a-side game. Earlier, the organizers planned a 60-overs match format, but soon the number of overs was reduced to 50.
Many fans would know that the Indian cricket team is the only one to win a 60-over World Cup and a 50-over World Cup. The Indian cricket team has always dominated their rivals in this format. They won the ICC World Cup in 2011, while they reached the semifinals in the last World Cups.
Of late, the Indian cricket team has made regular changes to its 50-over setup. A few youngsters have cemented their place in their team, while a few talents faded away after getting their first break in the ODI format. This article features those five Indian stars, who recently played ODI cricket but are not in the squad right now.
Shivam Dube
All-rounder Shivam Dube has made a name for himself with his big-hitting in the Mumbai T20 league. The Royal Challengers Bangalore spent a massive amount of money to sign him in the IPL. Soon, the selectors named him in the Indian limited-overs squad because Hardik Pandya picked up an injury.
Dube got to play multiple T20Is for the Indian cricket team. He also made his ODI debut last year. In the ODI against West Indies, Dube scored nine runs and conceded 68 runs in his 7.5 overs. The team management later dropped him from the playing XI.
Mohammed Siraj
Another player from the Royal Challengers Bangalore team to feature on this list is the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. The RCB star made his ODI debut against Australia last year. He could not pick up a single wicket, while he gave away 75 runs.
Due to his expensive economy rate, Siraj did not receive another opportunity to play for India in ODI cricket. Currently, he is in the Test squad, but not in the 50-over team.
Vijay Shankar
Popularly known as the ‘3D Player of Indian cricket’ Vijay Shankar represented the nation at the Cricket World Cup last year in England. He has played 12 ODI games for the country, scoring 223 runs and picking up four wickets.
Shankar got ruled out of the ICC World Cup because of an injury. Subsequently, Shivam Dube took his place in the Indian team. Now that Hardik Pandya is back, both Shankar and Dube are not receiving opportunities in 50-over format.
Khaleel Ahmed
Left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed made his ODI debut against Hong Kong in the 2018 Asia Cup. Ahmed later played in the bilateral series against West Indies, while he also played a few matches against Australia and New Zealand.
While left-arm pacers do have an X-factor, Khaleel’s high economy rate led to his exit from the team. Currently, T Natarajan has replaced him as the number one left-arm pace bowler in India.
Siddarth Kaul
Another fast bowler who made his ODI debut in 2018 but is no longer in the Indian ODI team is Siddarth Kaul. The right-arm pacer had won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in the year 2008. Kaul played a couple of ODIs at the international level under Kohli’s leadership in 2018, completing a ten-year challenge.
The right-arm pacer could not take a single wicket in the two ODI fixtures against England. He later played under MS Dhoni’s captaincy during Asia Cup 2018 in the match against Afghanistan. Unfortunately, he failed to open his wicket there also. Eventually, Kaul lost his place in the Indian ODI team.
