4 reasons why Prithvi Shaw should not be drafted into the ODI squad

The ICC Cricket World Cup gets underway next year and the Indian team is currently focusing on getting its team combination right. While the bowling looks strong, the batting is the main issue. For a fact, the last 23 centuries in ODIs for the country have been scored by India's top 3. The middle-order hasn't scored a single century for a while. This shows the dependency on the top three. The most valuable position in the middle-order, the number 4 spot has been witnessing musical chairs. Different players have been tried in that position but none have had a settled, good and a consistent run.

Dhoni was tried in the number four slot in the recently concluded Asia Cup, and he failed.

While Shaw has been playing some good cricket, he is likely to get an ODI call-up for the remaining three ODIs against West Indies (the squad has been selected for the first two games). India will play 13 ODIs (5 versus WI, 3 against Australia and 5 facing New Zealand) before taking on South Africa in their opening World Cup game.

Shaw had a magnificent debut

Let's have a look at 3 reasons why Shaw should not be in the ODI side.

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#4 Ambati Rayudu is a better and a safer option

Rayudu at number 4 is a good move

Ambati Rayudu has been in dangerous form off-late and has been playing some good cricket. In the Asia Cup, he scored 175 runs at an average of 44, playing in the number three position. Rayudu was named for the first two ODIs against Windies and with Virat Kohli set to make his comeback, Rayudu will be most likely tried as the team's number four batsman.

With experience on his side, he is expected to do well and make that position his own. Rayudu averages 49 in ODIs which is pretty good for a limited overs specialist. On the other hand, Shaw is an aggressive opener who likes playing against the new ball and playing him at number 4 would disturb the team dynamics as well as his style of play.

#3 It's time for Rahane to make a comeback

Rahane needs to come good sooner or later for a seat in the trip to England

Rahane has been out for long and the conditions are ripe for his comeback. Rahane has been lacking confidence and some runs against a weak West Indian team will do a world of good for Rahane. Rahane is a very reliable batsman and a good player who can stabilize the innings in alien conditions.

If there is ever a possibility of playing Rohit Sharma at no. 4 and opening with Rahane, it would pay dividends. Rahane provides that sort of flexibility to the team. His experience is also a boon for this relatively young team and that would help groom the youngsters. His calm presence at the crease would help him play the role of a stabiliser, letting Dhoni play his natural attacking game when the time comes. Dhoni the finisher is something that this Indian team is dearly missing.

#2 A fixed opening pair

The dynamic duo

The current ODI set-up has no place for Shaw, in simple words. The opening pair of India is one of the best and the most consistent pair that India has ever had. There is no way one would replace either Rohit or Dhawan. Given the form that they are in, the chances of a Prithvi Shaw debut looks even bleaker.

Both the openers have been in excellent form and they do the job for India 9 out of 10 times. Shaw is an opener and even his game suggests that. To play him in any other role seems illogical and would curb his attacking instincts and his natural style of play. Playing at no.4 would mean to play the role of a stabiliser. A stabiliser does not attack from the go. Shaw would find it difficult to adjust as that position would be as good as an unknown water for him.

#1 The inexperience of dealing with crunch situations

It won't be anything like the U-19 World Cup

Prithvi Shaw lacks experience and a mere 22 List A games won't do much. He's still very young and has an ample amount of time to play for India. He did play the U-19 World Cup and led India to victory. But an U-19 World Cup and a senior World Cup are two different things. They are two extremities of a line.

The pressure of International cricket is way too high and the fact is that Shaw hasn't faced international bowlers and he could prove to be a liability, more than an asset. There will be many high voltage matches and situations in front of the Indian team and unfortunately, Shaw doesn't have the experience to deal with them currently.