India vs WI, 3rd ODI: Loads of problems and plenty of lessons to learn for India

6. The woeful form of Dhoni and the middle-order muddle

Dhoni and Pant - Two problems with a single solution

Dhoni once again failed with the bat. It is becoming more and more difficult for Dhoni and for the team day by day. It remains to be seen whether Rishabh Pant’s hit out or get out kind of approach to batting would fetch the desired results, especially in run chases.

While Dhoni would be finding it difficult to hold on to his place purely based on his wicket-keeping skills, it would be even more difficult for Pant to merit a place in the team purely on his batting abilities. A solution lies somewhere in the middle. Sleepless nights ahead of the Indian selectors.

Rayadu is yet to prove himself as a match-winner. He should look to bat through the innings to take his team home. It is time for Rayadu to come out of the comforts of playing the supporting cast to the top 3 and become a match-winner on his own. The absence of Jadeja further complicated the problem in the last match.

The continuous failure of the Indian middle-order has put enormous pressure on Virat Kohli to finish off matches all on his own. The pressure is too much to handle even for King Kohli.

The only solution to Indian middle-order woes is to try and keep on changing personnel. The available resources will have to be fully exploited in an attempt to stumble upon the right combination. Some harsh decisions on the way to achieve that objective are inevitable.