ICC World Cup 2015: 5 key players for India against Australia

India versus Australia is going to be the most epic clash of this year’s World Cup. On one side is a team that has no apparent weaknesses, and on the other side is a galvanised unit that is being led by an inspired leader and performing in a manner no one expected them to.Ahead of the 26th’s mega event, we look at five players who are going to be the key to India’s success in paving a path for a meeting with New Zealand at the MCG for a figh-out for the ultimate crown in the game of cricket.

#5 Suresh Raina

It is a known fact that Suresh Raina doesn’t like short-pitch bowling. It’s also a known fact that most teams attack him with such kind of bowling to the extent that he can almost predict every second ball coming at him will be a bouncer.

This makes the subplot involving Suresh Raina and the left-handed pacers of Australia very interesting. The deliveries that Raina can expect will be chest high, and will cramp him for room. That’s where his short-arm pulls, and flicks on to the leg side will come in handy.

Like it or not, Raina has created the most impact for India in this World Cup, and that too against good teams, in crunch games. The match against Australia will be no different. Being a left-hander, it will also be easier for him to score against Xavier Doherty and tackle the deliveries coming into him from James Faulkner. Against quality fast-bowling, most people will make the mistake of writing Raina off. And that’s exactly what they will commit by doing so, a mistake.

World Cup so far – Innings: 5, Runs: 277, Average: 69.25, HS: 110*, 50/100: 2/1, Catches: 6