Reddy missed the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow due to soreness in his left thigh and could return for the clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. \u201cWhen Hardik\u2019s fit, he obviously brings a different element because he\u2019s such a strong batter, such a strong finisher. That sort of role scarcity is difficult to find - a finisher who can give you overs as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo those guys are all tracking really nicely. Like I said with Nitish, for the last 18 months, he\u2019s shown glimpses of how important he can be to this team, particularly in this format. I feel his body\u2019s getting stronger and stronger, and I sort of feel he is the natural successor or back\u2011up to Hardik,\u201d Ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India have also experimented with Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar as lower\u2011order options, but ten Doeschate underlined their primary role as bowling all\u2011rounders. \u201cI would still say the majority of those guys are bowling all\u2011rounders. But certainly to see these other guys chipping in and working on their games, even someone like Gurnoor and Harshit again, they\u2019re bowling all\u2011rounders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut the fact that we feel we\u2019ve got guys who can hold the bat at No.9 and obviously looking forward to the next 14\u201115 months, that is going to be very important, especially in South Africa when you want to play three proper out\u2011and\u2011out seamers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThose guys are going to need to bat. So yeah, a lot of good signs on the all\u2011rounder front and also on the fast bowler front. I think it\u2019s been refreshing this week to see Prince, Gurnoor, and Nabi,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With India having sealed the ODI series, ten Doeschate confirmed changes are on the cards for the game in Chennai. \u201cWe will be making a few changes from the first two games. I think part of the brief coming into the series was that we wanted to try a few different combinations and give everyone a fair share of games. If someone like Arshdeep does very well in the first two games, he can take a rest tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan\u2019s century in Lucknow, ten Doeschate praised his versatility. \u201cI think with Ishan, the only concern was whether he transforms himself from a T20 specialist into a 50\u2011over player, potentially even a red\u2011ball player. I think he showed that the other night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBy nature, he\u2019s very aggressive, and we still feel there\u2019s space for that in this team. You do have some solid batters around him if you include them in the team. With Shubman and Virat, you have two of the more classical guys who are going to bat through the innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe is a very versatile player. He can bat at the top of the order, he can bat in the middle, and obviously, the fact that he\u2019s a top gloveman as well. I think he ticks a lot of boxes and so on. Like I said, purely for versatility is something you want in your squad,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He signed off by saying India is likely to retain the same top three from the second ODI in Lucknow - Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening, followed by Shubman Gill at number three.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt is a consideration. The versatility of their batting line\u2011up is fantastic. I don\u2019t think KL will bat at No.3 tomorrow. We want to have a good look at Yashasvi as well. Obviously, he didn\u2019t get around to the last game, so he will probably get another game, I would have thought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMaybe with the combination, we need to look at Nitish again. Unfortunately, he couldn\u2019t play the last game, and he needs to start as well. So I would imagine five batters plus Nitish and Washi (Washington Sundar).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt is a consideration. The versatility of their batting line\u2011up is fantastic. I don\u2019t think KL will bat at No.3 tomorrow. We want to have a good look at Yashasvi as well. Obviously, he didn\u2019t get around to the last game, so he will probably get another game, I would have thought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cJaiswal does get a few chances, and it is incredibly tough because he has so much quality. But he is one of those guys who, when he gets the odd opportunity like this, will have to score runs,\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n