Predicting the Indian ODI batting line-up before Champions Trophy 2017
India, the current holders of the Champions Trophy have shown their unlimited resources in their batting department. Even with a second string side, the young batting brigade has outsmarted Zimbabwe comprehensively in the three-match ODI series.
This cricket tour is bound to give the selectors a sweet headache as they sit down to pick a full strength side for other tours. The Champions Trophy which will be held in England next year might see few changes in the limited overs set-up for the Men in Blue.
As all the players become fit and available, there might be few tweaks to the team, more so to the batting department.
We speculate over the Indian batting for the Champions Trophy. There are few positions which need no debate, but then other positions are certainly up for grabs.
#1 Rohit Sharma
There is no doubt that a fit and available Rohit will walk into the ODI side without any complaints. He has been one of more consistent Indian batsmen over the last 3 years.
Ever since he became the opener in ODIs, his batting has reached another level. He started his opening career in the 2013 Champions Trophy and looked at ease. He has since not looked back.
In 2013, he scored 1196 runs in 27 innings at an average of 52 and with a strike rate of 80.81. He also scored his first double century in Bangalore.
He continued his form the next year in which he amassed 578 runs in 12 innings at an average of 52.54 and with a strike rate of 94.29. Against Sri Lanka, he plundered 264 runs at Eden Gardens.
The consistent run continued in 2015, in which he scored 815 runs in 17 matches. This included a 150 run knock against Bangladesh in the World Cup.
This year he has so scored 441 runs in 5 innings with an average of 110.25 and a strike rate of 101.61.
There is absolutely no question over his position at the top of the order leading into the Champions Trophy.