World Cup 2019: 4 areas where India should improve 

MS Dhoni’s swansong

Every piece on MS Dhoni is an emotional journey. In all likelihood, this will be the end of the great man. Scoring over 10,000 ODI runs and playing numerous match-winning knocks for over a decade, he is irreplaceable in the blue. However, the performances have come far and few over the last few years.

After his tremendous success in IPl 2018, 2018 looked set to be a year for the last MSD show but the hopes took a big downfall when he crawled himself to a 37 off 59 balls at a strike rate of 62.71 at Lords when the team required over 8 per over. More than the strike rate, it was his struggle to find the gaps and the big hits that made us realize that yes, maybe the end is near.

Inherent ability to turn the game on its head has started to fade and so has his effectiveness in those crucial middle overs. However, the man with multiple skills still has a lot to offer. Arguably the best hands in the business, he is still India’s go-to man if they find themselves at 40/3, as was seen in the last ODI

More than the runs and catches, it his man-management skills and a great understanding of the game that makes him a must in the unit. The aggressive and always in-your-face attitude of Shastri-Kohli needs a calm mind of MS Dhoni. The management appreciates that fact and hence had the audacity to announce him as the first choice keeper a year before the event even with his current run of form. But, the fact remains, he has to score.

Great players don't wane out quietly. Already a world cup winning captain, he knows what it takes to get there. He is as fit as any other 25-year-old and that followed by a 'feel good' factor ahead of the World Cup is what will make him a force to reckon with.

2018 ended with a feeling of what could have been but come 2019, if India can get their few loopholes filled, it has the potential to be a year of lifetime memories and an ultimate fulfillment of great potential.