Team India won the 2nd ODI against New Zealand very comfortably and are now leading the 3 match ODI series by 2-0. However, talking about India’s playing 11 for the final ODI, Wasim Jaffer stated that he wants big players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami to skip the last game so as to remain fresh for the Tests versus Australia.
“I think it (playing the next round of Ranji Trophy) will make a lot of sense. If they play maybe one game – two innings in a Ranji game – that will surely help. No matter how experienced you are, you surely need that game time, especially in red ball cricket. You don’t want to be undercooked when you play that first Test.
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“It’s a huge series from all perspectives – whether it’s the World Test Championship (WTC) final that India can get into or can become world number one Test side as well. India need to do everything that they can so they are ready for that first Test match. Virat Kohli hasn’t played a lot of Test cricket for a while; Rohit and a lot of others as well,” Jaffer was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
The Border Gavaskar Trophy starting from 9 February is more important for India than it is for Australia. Hence, big players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammad Shami are needed to be fresh and game ready as a win with a margin of three would mean India makes the WTC final.