India's World Cup dress rehearsal: 3 Check-boxes India need to tick
With the World Cup approaching, India are set to play five ODIs against Australia at home, before they move on to the IPL.
India have enjoyed a splendid run in the ODIs after the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia. In the 19 ODI series they have played after the World Cup (this includes the Champions Trophy'17 and Asia Cup'18), they have incredibly won 14 of them, which speaks volumes of why India start as favourites going into the World Cup. Starting 2016, they have just lost one bilateral series to England (2-1) in 2018.
Let's have a quick look at what are the areas that India needs to address, before moving to the gala event.
#3 - The middle order conundrum
India have tried as many as 20 players from no. 4 to no. 6 post the 2015 World Cup, but most of the spots look sealed now. They have tried Kohli, Pandya, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Rayudu, Pandey and a few others at no.4 before Rayudu making the slot his own. But, the recent remarks by head coach Ravi Shastri and the chief selector MSK Prasad has thrown the number 4 slot again in the reckoning, with both of them concluding that Kohli could bat at no. 4 if need be.
This seems to be a tactical move by the management, urging players to go all out before the main event. Needless to say, Kohli should bat at no. 3 where he has enjoyed bulk of his success. Also, in the 25 matches Rayudu has played (2015 - 2019), he is averaging 61.20 with a strike-rate of 83, including 2 hundreds and 5 fifties. He also bailed the team, reeling at 18-4, scoring a magnificent 90 in the 5th ODI vs New Zealand at Wellington.
Dhoni is certain to play at no. 5, with the 2011 World Cup winning captain being adjudged the man of the series in the ODIs down under. Kedhar Jadhav is also a definite starter, with him being the sixth bowling option. He is known for clean striking and has been finishing the games for India off late.
With Pant and DK also vying for a spot, the India-Australia series can prove out to be decisive if Pant proves his worth as he has done in the longer version of the game. This could shift Dhoni further up to 4, with Pant/DK and Jadhav swapping positions as and when required.