CWC 2019: Five different team combinations that India can play
The fever of ICC World Cup 2019 is continuously widening in the minds of the cricket fans all around the globe. The top 10 cricketing nations will lock their horns with a common goal of lifting that prestigious trophy. Australia will begin their title defense on 1st June when they take on underdogs Afghanistan.
India, who start their campaign on 5th June, will be looking to live up to the expectations of being one of the favorites.
On 15th May 2018, The Board of Control of Cricket in India announced India’s 15 member squad and the backup options for the tournament. The team has got all the bases covered, and it looks a pretty balanced side. Many pundits have even hailed it as the best Indian squad ever. With the WC to be held in England, India would be looking to replicate the success of the 1983 World Cup.
India can field different squads based on the different conditions and form and utility of the players. On this note, let us take a look at a few of them.
#1 2 fast-bowlers and 2 spinners
This is the most likely combination that India will field. In this scenario, Jasprit Bumrah will be the front liner and either of Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshvar Kumar will have the onus of being the second pacer in the lineup. Spin-twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will share the duties of taking wickets during the middle overs.
The duties of the remaining 10 overs will be shared by Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, and Vijay Shankar. This tactic will enjoy the priority unless some considerable external factors play the role of a spoilsport.
This tactic will mean that Virat Kohli will enjoy the luxury of 7 bowlers and 7 batsmen. This team will have more depth than any other combination.
Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami/ Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah