Perth: India's limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday said that since the team doesn't have a seaming all-rounder, his bowling combination for the first ODI against Australia will likely be 3-2.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Speaking at a pre-match conference, Dhoni said, "Most likely it will be a 3-2 combination. We don't really have a seaming all-rounder. Who the players are, we'll have to wait and watch."


The skipper's statement automatically rules Himachal Pradesh's Rishi Dhawan out of the equation as he was picked as an all-rounder in the 15-member squad.


India's preparations ahead of the series suffered a huge blow when Mohammed Shami, who was making a comeback into the team after months, was once again ruled out due to hamstring injury.


Reacting over Shami's injury, the 34-year-old said, "Shami is someone who can bowl with the new ball, in the middle overs and at the death. It's always good to have that kind of a bowler and it's sad to lose him."


India also will have to pick one batsman between Gurkeerat Singh and Manish Pandey, to bat at the crucial number six position after Suresh Raina was ignored by selectors for the five-match series.