India start the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Sunday and ahead of the match Indian skipper Virat Kohli explained the decision to recall Dinesh Karthik to the Indian team and drop KL Rahul. "In this series, Dinesh has come in for K L. We felt K L, because he opens mostly, we don't want to have a situation like Rahane was going through in between, having to play in the middle order forcefully because of what the top order was doing.
"We thought that it is better that K L gets game time in the first class level, so we have got in Dinesh, who has always played in the middle order and is more comfortable and aware of how to bat in the middle order." Kohli said the team needed to strike a "good balance".
"We need to bring in guys who have the ability and have done well in domestic cricket and India A, and track their performances and give them chances accordingly."
With two hectic and crucial overseas tours lined-up, India captain Virat Kohli also added that the team will give much-needed rest to some key batsmen to manage their workload.
After playing against New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home, India will embark on a tour of South Africa, involving three Tests, six ODIs and three T20 Internationals in January next year. The South Africa series will be followed by a grueling and lengthy tour of England where India will play three T20s, three ODIs and five Tests starting July, 2018.
Kohli also said that its not just the batsmen, the team management will also rotate the bowling unit in the coming weeks to keep them afresh for the overseas tours.
"Yes, we have spoken about it (the schedule), it's become quite hectic. That's something we will definitely have to sit and discuss in future. Because, if you look at New Zealand, they haven't played any cricket after Champions Trophy. There has been such a good lay off. It can be the difference in doing well in a big tournament and performing poorly," Kohli said.
"Everyone needs time to come back, especially the fast bowlers. So we are doing that now with Umesh (Yadav) and (Mohammad) Shami. We want them fresh for a Test season coming up. We don't want overtired players and that's something we have spoken about already.
"Even some of the key batsmen will definitely get some rest in the future weeks because of the importance of the away tours coming up. So we will have to figure out ways to do that. But it's certainly a thing that we need to discuss for the future as well," he added ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand on Sunday.
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