Predicting India's middle order for 2019 World Cup

With the Indian Premier League done and dusted now, fans' focus shifts towards the Indian national team. With a one-off Test match against Afghanistan and a tour to England coming up next, the Indian players don't have much time to rest and shed off their T20 skin.

Every international match played between now until the commencement of the World Cup in 2019 will be very important for the players, especially for those who have not cemented their place in the team yet.

Similarly, for the Indian team, there are a couple of places up for grabs and thus we try and predict India's middle order, which can accommodate upto two batsmen, for the 2019 World Cup here.

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Number Three - Virat Kohli

Kohli's next ODI assignment would be in England

The Indian skipper has to be the first name on the team sheet and would definitely be walking in at number three for the Men in Blue if fit. Kohli has been in the form of his life recently for India and though this IPL wasn't the best for him, the right-hander still managed to amass 530 runs at an average of nearly 50.

In his last ODI series, which was against South Africa, Kohli broke several records and went on to slam as many as three centuries in the six-match series. The Indian captain eventually finished with 558 runs in the series at a staggering average of 186. In the process, he smashed Rohit Sharma's record of most runs in a bilateral series as well.

Kohli's next ODI assignment would be in England against whom Team India play in a three-match 50-over series. The Delhi-born cricketer is unfit as of now and will undergo a fitness test on 15th June. As a result of the injury, he had to give up on his County stint with Surrey as well.

If things go as planned, however, Kohli would be the first of five India's middle order batsmen.

Number Four - Rohit Sharma

Rohit could be a great choice for the number four spot

Well, this could be a debatable choice. The fact that India have a more than able opener in KL Rahul, who proved his mettle in the recently-concluded IPL, and that Rohit himself has played in the number four position previously could mean that the Mumbai batsman would be asked to man the middle order.

At number four, the MI skipper has managed to score 715 runs in 25 innings at an average of 32 and a strike-rate of 79. Though these numbers are nowhere close to his overall record of 6594 runs in 174 innings at an average of 44.55 with a strike-rate of 87, he's now a more mature cricketer and could mould his game according to the needs of the team.

Rohit at four would mean that India have a stable middle order. That he can accelerate according to the situation is a huge plus as well. Expect him to walk in after the fall of second wicket when India take the field next year in the World Cup.

Number Five - MS Dhoni

At number five in ODIs, Dhoni has 2718 runs in 68 innings

MS Dhoni recently led Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title in nine years, equalling Mumbai Indians' record of most IPL titles. With the bat, he probably had his best season to date which saw him score 455 runs at an average of 75.83 and strike rate of 150.

The wicketkeeper-batsman promoted himself in the batting order and walked in at numbers four and five majorly in the tournament. This might result in a promotion in the Indian team as well, which could well be beneficial for both him and the team.

At number five in ODIs, Dhoni has 2718 runs in 68 innings at an average of 53. He has as many as four hundreds at the position, most among any other position that he has batted at. Dhoni coming in at five would give him the time required to get his eye-in and then accelerate in the latter part of the innings.

Number Six - Dinesh Karthik

The Tamil Nadu batsman has had a reversal in fortunes recently

The Kolkata Knight Riders captain has earned plaudits from all around the cricketing world for his show with the bat and as a leader of the team. Dinesh Karthik scored 498 runs in the tournament and was his team's top-scorer with the bat. He scored his runs at a strike rate of nearly 150 as well.

The Tamil Nadu batsman has had a reversal in fortunes recently, one which might see him make the Indian squad for the World Cup. Karthik is one of the most experienced players in and around the Indian limited overs teams and his presence in the line-up for World Cup would help the team in various ways.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is a part of both the limited overs team for the England tour, which could well be his audition for the next year's extravaganza.

Number Seven - Hardik Pandya

The all-rounder is a part of both the LOI sides which travel to England

Hardik Pandya has become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team across all the formats now and his performance in the 2018 IPL has only gone on to reassure him of his position in the side. Pandya had his best IPL season, both with the bat and the ball, which saw him score 260 runs and bag 18 wickets in 13 matches.

The all-rounder is a part of both the LOI sides which travel to England for a three-match T20 and a three-match ODI series respectively. If Pandya remains fit and maintains the level of his performances, he'd certainly play an integral role for India at the World Cup and would walk in at seven.