4 Takeaways for India from their big series wins in Australia and New Zealand
India have ended their 50-over journey overseas with a comprehensive rout of a strong New Zealand side, adding to their already impressive series win against Australia.
Under the quality leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India thrashed New Zealand 4-1 in what turned out to be a one-sided affair. In the process, the team won an ODI series in New Zealand after a decade.
The Indian side also dominated the one-day series in Australia, defeating the Kangaroos 2-1 after initially trailing in the series.
As the World Cup 2019 is just months away, all the teams are looking to get their playing 11 sorted in order to be fully prepared before the big tournament commences in England. The Virat Kohli led side too came to Australia and New Zealand with a few puzzles to solve concerning their final 15. Now, they seem to have the jigsaw pieces in place as they prepare leave the foreign shores.
Here, we take a look at a few takeaways for the Indian side, courtesy their important wins before the World Cup.
1. Shami seals the 3rd seamer slot
Mohammed Shami was India's prime pace bowler in the 2015 World Cup. He ended as India's second highest wicket taker in the tournament with 17 scalps in 7 games under his belt.
However, post the 2015 World Cup, the speedster lost his way courtesy a dip in form along with certain injury issues. He was soon sidelined from India's limited overs side. Inspiring performances from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the rapid rise of Jasprit Bumrah in the international circuit didn't help Shami's cause either.
After his return to cricket post the knee surgery, Shami had an average IPL season but continued to be a part of India's plans in the longest format. Shami impressed in the overseas tours of South Africa and England, and was finally given a chance in the one-dayers against West Indies followed by the tour Down Under.
Shami came into his own against New Zealand, picking up 9 wickets in 4 games, and more importantly getting those crucial breakthroughs at the start of the innings. The Bengal pacer has become the fastest Indian to 100 ODI wickets, which would surely sky-rocket his confidence ahead of the big tournament in June.