India's World Cup dress rehearsal: 3 Check-boxes India need to tick 

With the World Cup approaching, India are set to play five ODIs against Australia at home, before they move on to the IPL.

India have enjoyed a splendid run in the ODIs after the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia. In the 19 ODI series they have played after the World Cup (this includes the Champions Trophy'17 and Asia Cup'18), they have incredibly won 14 of them, which speaks volumes of why India start as favourites going into the World Cup. Starting 2016, they have just lost one bilateral series to England (2-1) in 2018.

Let's have a quick look at what are the areas that India needs to address, before moving to the gala event.

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#3 - The middle order conundrum

New Zealand v India - 5th ODI

India have tried as many as 20 players from no. 4 to no. 6 post the 2015 World Cup, but most of the spots look sealed now. They have tried Kohli, Pandya, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Rayudu, Pandey and a few others at no.4 before Rayudu making the slot his own. But, the recent remarks by head coach Ravi Shastri and the chief selector MSK Prasad has thrown the number 4 slot again in the reckoning, with both of them concluding that Kohli could bat at no. 4 if need be.

This seems to be a tactical move by the management, urging players to go all out before the main event. Needless to say, Kohli should bat at no. 3 where he has enjoyed bulk of his success. Also, in the 25 matches Rayudu has played (2015 - 2019), he is averaging 61.20 with a strike-rate of 83, including 2 hundreds and 5 fifties. He also bailed the team, reeling at 18-4, scoring a magnificent 90 in the 5th ODI vs New Zealand at Wellington.

Dhoni is certain to play at no. 5, with the 2011 World Cup winning captain being adjudged the man of the series in the ODIs down under. Kedhar Jadhav is also a definite starter, with him being the sixth bowling option. He is known for clean striking and has been finishing the games for India off late.

With Pant and DK also vying for a spot, the India-Australia series can prove out to be decisive if Pant proves his worth as he has done in the longer version of the game. This could shift Dhoni further up to 4, with Pant/DK and Jadhav swapping positions as and when required.

#2 - Second choice wicket-keeper

Pant was the second highest scorer in the series vs Australia

Dinesh Karthik looked almost set to book his ticket to England, but it came as a big shock when he was left out of the squad for the India-Australia ODI series.

"We have included him (Pant) considering many factors that he is a left-hander," chief selector MSK Prasad said in a press conference. Rishabh Pant lost his place in the ODI side, after a pretty ordinary home series against Windies. However, his exploits in Australia in the test series and his impressive performance against England Lions brought him back to the reckoning. MSK Prasad told the press that the reason he did not feature in the ODI series in NZ and Australia was due to heavy workload in the test series against Australia.

Having said that, Pant is still a youngster and is yet to prove his worth in the 50 over game. Karthik on the other hand, had a splendid run post the Champions Trophy'17, averaging over 47 in the 20 ODIs that he has featured in. This also includes his heroics in the Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh, where he changed the game in just 11 balls.

The selectors seem to have gone with youth over experience. However, MSK Prasad said that DK is not yet out of contention, adding that the selectors have a group of 18 players, that they are rotating over. With all the swashbuckling shots and the swagger that Pant brings in to the squad, it would be unfair to Karthik if he is left out of the World Cup squad.

The final call will depend on how Pant fares in the India vs Australia series.

#1 The first choice second pacer and the backup pacer!

New Zealand v India - ODI

While Jasprit Bumrah opening the attack is a no brainer, but Mohammed Shami looks to be in tussle with Bhuvi to become India's second choice pace option. He has been in rich vein of form since his return.

Shami recently became the fastest Indian to 100 ODI wickets, reaching the feat in 56 ODIs to Irfan Pathan's 59. He was also adjudged the player of the series in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand. Bhuvi on the other hand, has been expensive in the death overs, thus opening up the second pacer slot. Both are certain in the squad though.

Khaleel Ahmed and Unadkat are fighting for the left arm seamer spot. The lack of familiarity makes left arm quicks a certain threat. Khaleel Ahmed has been with the squad for quite some time now. Unadkat rose into contention following his exploits in the Ranji Trophy. It's no secret that Unadkat possesses more variations and is a mature bowler now. But with Pandya a certain starter and Vijay Shankar also in the mix, it remains to be seen whether India will go with a fourth full time pace option.

It's a problem of plenty for India and Kohli would be scratching his head right now, then again it's a good problem to have.

India 1st and 2nd ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja

India 3rd, 4th & 5th ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja