Four World Cup Spots that may be decided in the England-India ODI Series

Finisher: Suresh Raina vs Dinesh Karthik

CRICKET-IND-BAN

While MS Dhoni was brilliant for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, he is no longer the finisher he once was. The former captain is still valuable for the side as a lower middle-order accumulator who can be a brilliant finisher on some occasions. Like any great ODI side, Team India will need a finisher in the World Cup.

After Ambati Rayudu’s excellent IPL, it seemed as if Rayudu would fill that role. However, the CSK batsman failed to meet Yo-Yo test requirements and thus has been dropped. Another CSK teammate Suresh Raina was called up for him and he has the chance to win back his former slot right next to Dhoni. However, Raina has been called up primarily due to his T20 form- his last ODI was in October 2015.

Thus, another 30+ batsman may establish himself as India’s finisher. Dinesh Karthik was another player who had a great IPL. Yet what distinguishes him from Raina is the fact that he has recent ODI pedigree- with an average of 61.0 during 2017. Karthik should be preferred but Raina will likely have some chances later in the series to win his spot back.