3 challenges for Team India ahead of World Cup 2019

Team India have been on a roll of late, and have annihilated almost every opposition that has come their way. Within a span of one year, India have recorded series victories in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, along with defending the Asia Cup. The team comprises of the world's best batsmen in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the best bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, with the experience of MS Dhoni being an added incentive for the side. Thus, India promises to be a strong contender for the ICC World Cup scheduled in England in the next 4 months.

Though the team has managed to tick most of the boxes, certain areas of concerns continue to prevail. These areas have pinched in the one-off loses for the team of late, and might serve as a threat in the showdown in England. Let us have a look at three challenges ahead of Team India in the World Cup:

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#1 Middle-order packed with wicketkeepers

There was a time when India would pick only one keeper in the playing XI, regardless of the technical supremacy of other glovesmen with the willow. However, in the recent times, the middle order has been brimmed with wicketkeepers, all of whom save MS Dhoni have been largely inexperienced to anchor the innings after a top order collapse. Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav, the men around whom the middle order has revolved of late, have all donned gloves at a point in their careers.

While Karthik and Jadhav can play handy cameos towards the end, Rayudu, who was entrusted with the No.4 spot, has not looked in good touch in crunch situations. Same is the case with Rishabh Pant, who is technically a lower middle order batsman, while KL Rahul is having a dismal run of form. As a result, the middle order has been exposed twice in the previous two series. While a fighting century and a half-century from Rohit Sharma and MSD helped salvage pride against Australia, the team was forced to eat humble pie against the Kiwis.

In such a case, the team management might be lured to explore the prospects of including a technically sound player, such as Shubhman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, in the middle order before the commencement of the World Cup.

#2 The all-rounder's spot

Pandya and Jadeja have been the best all-rounders of India of late

It is imperative for any team vying for the marquee trophy of world cricket to have at least one dependable all-rounder in its ranks. In the present scenario, India has two key men who shall be entrusted to exhibit their all-round capabilities in the all-important showdown in England- Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.

While Pandya has been an integral part of the squad ever since his debut, Jadeja has not put a step wrong ever since his return in the blue jersey in the Asia Cup. A head-to-head comparison of attributes leads to the conclusion that while both of them are highly athletic on the field, Jadeja has been justified his captain's faith with the ball to a greater extent. Though Jadeja did take India close to the target in crunch situations in the Asia Cup, Pandya edges over him in the ability to give the ball a good whack in the death overs.

However, the only catch in Pandya's inclusion is that it might lead to the inclusion of only two specialist pacers, as it would be important to include two spinners while keeping an eye on the size of the tail. With England being a haven for the exponents of fast bowling, and the Indian pace battery being in rich vein of form, it would be interesting to note who makes a cut in the playing XI.

#3 The fourth seamer

India has a variety of options to chose for the fourth seamer

India, which has been traditionally typecasted as a powerhouse of batting talents, has begun to produce a battery of fiery seamers in the ranks. This generation of Indian fast bowling is undoubtedly the best ever, with the bowlers capable of generating good amount of pace and also having other weapons in their arsenal. Despite this, the fourth seamer for the World Cup still presents a dilemma.

While Jasprit Bumrah promises to be the spearhead of the Indian pace attack, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami are certain to make a cut as the second and third seamer. However, with the tournament being in England and fast bowlers being prone to injuries, it is imperative to have a backup option in the ranks. While India has tried and tested the likes of Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammad Siraj, Siddharth Kaul, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur in the past six months, none of them have been able to stamp their authority on the spot.

With a plethora of choices available, it would be an uphill task for captain Kohli and selectors to pick up the best player in alignment with the WC goal.