India vs Australia 2013: India Team Preview - Death bowling a concern in an otherwise perfect side

The spin department too is well taken care of by R. Ashwin and Jadeja, and these two men played a crucial role in the Champions Trophy triumph. With spin-friendly pitches and a batting line-up which is expected to struggle against quality spin bowling – very much now in the absence of their captain Michael Clarke – the Indian spinners would be itching to have a bowl.

The death bowling has been a major worry for the Indians. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has really come of age and he is expected to pick-up wickets with the new-ball. But Dhoni tends to finish his quota off soon and not use him in the slog overs. Seeing how he has bowled in the IPL, it would not be such a bad idea to try Kumar in the death overs.

The other pacer, Ishant has to be consistent and prove his merit in the side. He often tends to blow hot and cold in the same match and it is high time he rectified that.

Now that Umesh Yadav is dropped, it will be interesting to see whom Dhoni picks to partner Kumar and Ishant. If he goes with either of Unadkat or Vinay, both of whom are medium-pace at best, he would be having problems handling them at the end overs. Shami too is not express pace and he has struggled when the batsmen come after him.

Will Amit Mishra get a look at in a side having Ashwin, Jadeja, along with part-time options of Yuvraj, and Raina?

Dhoni could also take the other option of fielding only two pacers and play three spinners with Amit Mishra partnering Ashwin and Jadeja. Knowing Dhoni, it will not be surprise if he opts for this combination and with Mishra coming off an excellent series against Zimbabwe, where he picked up 18 wickets in the 5 matches, he should be given a go at the Aussies at some point in this series.

The major concern remains India’s death bowling and Dhoni, if he cannot completely sort it out, will be hoping that his bowlers do not let the Aussie batting line-up go that far.