World Cup 2019: India's strongest playing XI for the Semi-Final 

India ended the round-robin phase of the World Cup on a high, etching a commanding 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Australia's loss to South Africa in the last league game ensured that India seal the top spot of the points table. As a result, the Men in Blue would be playing their semi-final tie against New Zealand at the Old Trafford Stadium at Manchester on the 9th of July.

India have enjoyed a dominant run in this tournament, with 7 wins, and a loss and no-result apiece in their 9 league games. They have ticked most of the boxes in the three departments and tried a few different combinations in the last two games to ensure a better balance to the side.

Virat Kohli's team are one of the firm contenders for the title and are certainly the team to beat in this tournament. Let's have a look at the strongest XI that could be fielded by India at Manchester in the first semi-final:

#Openers - Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul

Rohit and Rahul have greatly complimented each other at the top of the order

Rohit Sharma has been in the form of his life in this World Cup. He has taken the responsibility of a senior player and the vice-captain on his shoulders and essayed both the roles to perfection. Rohit is the top run-getter in the tournament at the moment, with 647 runs in 8 innings. He has scored five centuries, breaking Kumar Sangakkara's record of most centuries in a single edition of the World Cup. He has also equalled the record of most hundreds in the tournament.

KL Rahul is one of the most technically sound batsmen in the team. Being promoted to the top of the order due to the ouster of Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul has played some steady knocks, rendering support to the in-form Rohit. After getting useful starts in several games, Rahul finally made them count against Sri Lanka, as he scored his maiden World Cup hundred. He forms one of the crucial players for India going into the semi-finals.

Rohit and Rahul have synced in beautifully and are complementing each other with their disparate approaches top the order. The duo have broken the record for the highest opening partnership for India in World Cups twice in two games, putting 180 and 189 runs respectively. India would hope that the openers make the most of their purple patch in the semifinals.

# Middle Order- Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya

Virat Kohli has been in great form in this World Cup, making an impact with his bat as well as his captaincy. Kohli became the first captain to score five consecutive fifties in the World Cup. He has been the fulcrum around which the middle order has functioned in the middle overs. Kohli has been solid at one end, regularly rotating the strike, giving opportunities to the likes of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, and changing gears when required. Kohli, along with his deputy, would be the batting mainstay for India against the three-pronged pace attack of New Zealand.

Rishabh Pant brings in versatility to the Indian batting line up, on account of being a southpaw and his repertoire of aggressive shots. Although he has got limited opportunities so far, the dashing left-hander holds the ability to swing the fortunes of the game in just a few overs. He would be expected to keep the score board ticking at a good rate, without taking too many risks.

Hardik Pandya has been one of the greatest success stories of Indian cricket in the recent past. He has transformed into a dynamic, multi-dimensional character who can just about do anything to further the team's cause. Pandya has been regularly promoted up the order when the team is in a strong position, and he has responded quite well, helping India tighten their grip on the match. His ability to bowl well in the middle overs, accompanied with his pinch-hitting and athleticism makes him the X-Factor for Team India in the big semi-final.

#Lower Middle Order- MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja

MS Dhoni provides an ace up the sleeve of India, with his multifaceted ability as a finisher, wicketkeeper and strategist. His assessment of the situation is unparalleled, and he seems to have a solution every time the team is in a wary situation. Dhoni remains India's best bet in the death overs, with accurate selection and calculation of his target bowler. His lightning fast glove work and sharp acumen behind the stumps shall prove crucial in the big game for India.

Dinesh Karthik has transformed his game in the past 18 months, stepping into the shoes of a dependable finisher in the limited overs for India. Being his usual calm and composed self, Karthik can score at a brisk pace in a pressure situation. His presence adds great value to the side, given his ability to get the extra 15-20 runs to exert pressure on the opposition.

Ravindra Jadeja's presence gives the much-needed depth to the Indian batting. Although he does not have a hitting reputation akin to the players mentioned above, Jadeja has the ability to get some bonus runs down the order. His accuracy as a spinner and penchant for big wickets of the opposition is a well-known fact. The biggest asset that he brings to the side is his livewire fielding, with the capability of producing run-outs out of nowhere. With the Kiwi middle order being susceptible to spin, Jadeja can exploit their weakness with his deceptive spin.

#Bowlers - Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah

Yuzvendra Chahal has been quite effective in the tournament with his deceptive leg spin, picking 11 wickets in 7 matches. Chahal has been a crucial factor in India's limited over dominance over the past 18 months, with the ability to change the course of the game in the middle overs. He can entice the batsmen with his flight, and can also deceive them with his vicious turn. Chahal was the cause of a host of troubles for the Kiwi batsmen, during India's tour to New Zealand in early 2019. He would hope to replicate a similar performance at the Old Trafford.

Mohammad Shami has been the strike bowler for India since his inclusion in the match against Afghanistan. Shami has made the ball swing early on in the innings and has also been effective at the death overs. He has picked 14 wickets in the 4 matches that he has played so far, which includes a hat-trick. Like Chahal, Shami had also created a lot of problems for New Zealand's batsman, especially their top order. He would be expected to deliver the goods once again, although at a different venue.

Jasprit Bumrah has been the answer to India's long quest for a premium, world-class pacer. The World No.1 has all the weapons in his arsenal and is Kohli's go-to man in the pressure situation. Bumrah has picked 17 wickets in 8 matches so far and is the highest wicket-taker for India. He has effective in all the phases of the innings, and always vindicated the trust of his captain. Bumrah is especially lethal in the death overs, with his perfect toe-crushing yorkers, enabling him to apply brakes on the scoreboard. India's hopes in the semi-final greatly rest on his shoulder, and he would be expected to send the Kiwi batsmen packing with his lethal deliveries.