5 issues India need to resolve at the Asia Cup 

256 days; that is the time left for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. With less than a year to go for the mega event, the eyes of each team are firmly on the event. The Asia Cup presents an ideal opportunity for every participating team ahead of the World Cup. A multinational tournament is the perfect setting for a team to know how good they are.

At the moment, along with England, India look like the most settled outfit in the world. In the last two years, India has lost only one series in the 50 over format and made it to the Champions Trophy final last year. However, as the series loss in England in July showed, there are still issues to resolve with time running out.

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#5 The dependency on Virat Kohl

3rd Momentum ODI: South Africa v India

India has taken the flight to Dubai without their captain Virat Kohli. The talisman batsman was facing vivid fitness issues and with an important tour to Australia not far away, it only makes sense to protect him as much as possible.

However, this could be a big problem for the Indian batting order. The dependency on the Top three of the Indian ODI team is well documented. When they fire, the team does well. When they don't, India struggle. India winning the first game in England and losing the second and third game symbolize this.

However more than Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan, it is Virat Kohli who team looks upto at more occasions than not. Perhaps, it is his surreal consistency with the bat that makes India so reliant on him or perhaps the inconsistencies of the others. In the 50-over format, Kohli more or less always delivers.

In South Africa, the Indian captain hit three centuries in a historic 5-1 series win. Even in England, where he did not get a century, there were two half-centuries and a 46 in the other game.

The big thing with Kohli is not the runs but when he gets it that sets him apart. The Delhite steps up his game when the team needs it the most. More often than not it's him who takes India out of troubled situations.

On many occasions, it's him who ensures India cross the finishing line. When he does fall early, the team struggles to put on big scores. This Asia Cup is the chance for Indian batsman to take away that perception. Can India still be a force with the bat without the bat? Can someone else take the responsibility in high-pressure situations?

#4 The No 4 slot

Australia v India - Game 5

In Rohit Sharma, Shikar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli, India have a formidable top three. The three have scored more runs than anyone else in the world over the past few years. However, the same cannot be said of the batting order following them. The other positions are up in the air. One of them is the all-important No 4 position.

Over the last one and half years, India has tried eight players in the role. Yuvraj Singh, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Ajiyanka Rahane and KL Rahul have had had a go at some time or the other. However, It is fair to say that India is no closer to finding a solution.

A part of the reason is that except Yuvraj no player has got more than five players at the position. However, the fact remains that no player has made the slot his own.

Here is where Virat Kohli's absence might be a blessing in disguise for India. While KL Rahul is the likely option to play at number three, India must resist the temptation unless they wish to use him as a number four when Kohli returns.

Rather, the team management should use this as an ideal opportunity to give two candidates for the number four slot a chance.

The best candidates in the Asia Cup squad for the role must be Ambati Rayudu and Manish Pandey. Both players stood out in the recently concluded 'A team' Quadrangular series. While Manish Pandey scored 306 runs in the four matches without losing his wicket even once, Rayudu, on the other hand, scored 187 runs at an average of 62.33.

Having earned their place back in the Indian team, the Asia cup presents both of them with a perfect opportunity to make it their own.

#3 Mahendra Singh Dhoni's position

England v India - 3rd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

A big issue behind India's middle order problems is due to the drop in Mahendra Singh Dhoni's form. Since the last three years, quite evidently, Dhoni has not been the same batsman. Since the 2015 World Cup, Dhoni's average has dropped to 46.21 from a career one of 51.25.

However, the bigger concern is the drop in strike rate to 82.81 from 88.13. His scores of 37(59) and 42(66) raised a lot of doubts in fans. One thing that is clear now is that Dhoni can no longer be India's finisher. He is not someone who can get going right from the start

Finding his new position has been an issue for India. So far India has tried to continue him at number six but its something that is evidently not working. However, India still desperately need the former captain in the team.

Firstly, his leadership assistance to Virat Kohli is extremely important for the team. Moreover, in a fragile middle order, the team desperately needs Mahendra Singh Dhoni's experience and hence why the idea of dropping him is not being entertained by the captain or coach.

The big question is where do India play him. Conventional wisdom will suggest at number four and be the anchor which suits him best at the moment. However, such is the depth of options in India that there are far too many players who are specialist number fours and cannot bat lower.

Giving that spot to Dhoni will make it difficult for India to fit in the other positions. Another factor behind not playing there is the Chennai Super Kings captain's recent struggles playing spin.

Taking everything into account, the best position at the moment for him looks at number five. This Asia cup, India need to make a decision if Dhoni merits a place in the squad and what his role is.

#2 The Finisher

Australia 'A' v India 'A' - Quadrangular Series Final

For years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been India's designated finisher. For the last decade, the team has barely had to worry about the job of a finisher. In his prime, Dhoni has been arguably the greatest finisher the game has ever seen. However, those days are slowly going past us. India is now in the need to find a new finisher to play at the number six position.

Looking at the squad picked for the Asia Cup, India's options are between Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik. While in the 50 over format, India is yet to use Karthik at number six, it is high time they do.

In the Nidhas trophy in March and the Indian Premier League, he depicted his transformation into a highly efficient finisher. For the Kolkata Knight Riders, Karthik scored 498 runs at a sensational strike of 147.7.

On the other hand, Jadhav has impressed for India with an average of 39.90 in 40 matches at a strike rate of 109. However, it's the awkward off-spin that gives him an advantage. He has shown to have the knack of taking wickets at crucial stages.

Who India chose between Karthik and Jadhav remains to be seen. While Karthik is clearly the better batsman and fielder but India might prefer to have the extra bowling option Jadhav offers.

#1 Back up pacers

England v India - 3rd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

With Bhuvneswar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks, India possesses one of the finest pace bowling attacks in the world. With both of them fit and firing, India have barely anything to worry about. However, as the England series showed, India have a cause for concern when the two are not available or want to play an extra fast bowler.

In England, Umesh Yadav and Siddharth Kaul played the first two games and failed to take wickets or control the run rate. Both took a combined four wickets in two games between them and their economy was of more than six per over. Not surprisingly, neither has retained his place in the squad for the Asia Cup.

Shardul Thakur who played a game each in both England and South Africa makes the squad. In four ODI games, Thakur has taken six-wicket at an economy of 5.56. Having impressed in the few opportunities given to him, he is currently leading the race for the third pacer.

Uncapper pacer Khaleel Ahmed is the fourth pacer in the team. The 20-year old has taken 28 wickets in 17 List A games at an economy of 4.74. The Rajasthani quick might be the left arm pacer India has been looking for ever since Zaheer Khan's retirement.

The problem for India is both of them barely have any international experience. In the 9 months left for the world cup, the team management needs to give them as many games as possible. The need to give adequate rest to both Bhuvenshwar Kumar and Bumrah is also very important due to their fitness concerns.

With the Asia cup games being so tightly scheduled, India needs to rotate their pacers and this gives Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed a great opportunity to make a mark. If not, the selectors will have their task cut out to find the third and fourth pacer in time for the world cup. Or else, India will just have to hope and pray that their two primary fast bowlers stay fit.

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