The Indian selectors will pick the national team for the forthcoming ICC World Cup on Monday. India are tipped to be one of the favourites along with hosts England and defending champions Australia for the showpiece event.
However, there is question mark over the Men in Blue’s middle order.
The 2-3 loss against a resurgent Australia in their last One-Day International (ODI) series before the World Cup was a rude wake-up call for Virat Kohli's team.
While most of the players are automatic choices, there are at least a couple of spots for which there have been a few challengers. Here is Onmanorama’s pick of final 15 players for the World Cup.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have formed a highly successful opening pair in limited overs cricket.
The left-right combination has been the key to India’s fine run in ICC events from the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. Dhawan’s form in the past couple of months has not been great, but expect ‘Gabbar’ to come back roaring in the marquee event.
Rohit has been India’s second most valued batsman after Kohli. The ‘Hitman’ narrowly missed out on a spot in the Indian squad which emerged triumphant in the 2011 World Cup at home.
Though there has been a cloud over his fitness after suffering an injury in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season 12, Rohit is a certainty in the final 15.
The classy right-hander is one of the greats as far as white ball cricket is concerned.
Virat Kohli, the backbone of Indian batting line-up, is a sure-shot at No. 3. King Kohli is a big tournament player and India’s progress in the competition will heavily depend on the captain’s form.
There has been a huge debate regarding the No. 4 spot. The Indian team management has tried out many options in the past couple of years for the crucial slot.
Ambati Rayudu looked to have sealed the spot in the New Zealand tour, but a poor outing against Australia and a rather ordinary IPL means Rayudu, who has the highest batting average (53.87) among the all other No.4 probables, now only has an outside chance of making it to the final squad.
Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar is our pick for the pivotal spot. Shankar is technically well equipped to handle the seaming English conditions and has a wide array of shots in his armoury.
The only drag is his lack of experience, but the youngster has grabbed the limited opportunities that have come his way. He is a live wire on the field and can also bowl seamers.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the unanimous choice for the wicketkeeper-batsman’s spot. The former captain, who is expected to retire after the quadrennial tournament, will be eager to make it a memorable one.
Dhoni remains sharp behind the wickets and can hold one end up if India lose a few wickets early in their innings.
Moreover, Dhoni’s tactical inputs will be vital for Kohli.
Kedar Jadhav has made the most of whatever opportunity that has came his way to stake his claim in the Indian squad.
The Maharashtra player is a street-smart cricketer and India will need his calmness in the middle order. Jadhav is an effective partnership breaker too with his unorthodox bowling.
Hardik Pandya is back as his exploits for Mumbai Indians in the IPL prove.
Pandya has emerged stronger after a rather forgettable few months marred by fitness issues and off-field controversies. His lively pace bowling and big hitting down the order lends the team the much-needed balance.
Kuldeep Yadav is the first-choice spinner of Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri.
The left-arm chinaman bowler has the ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs and his performance will be crucial to India’s fortunes.
Jaspirt Bumrah is the spearhead of the Indian pace attack. He can pick up wickets with the new ball and is miserly at the death.
The man from Gujarat is the No. 1 ranked bowler in ODI cricket and his strikes will determine how far India will go in the tournament.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will share the new ball with Bumrah.
The two complement each other and Bhuvi, a specialist swing bowler, will relish the English conditions. He is also handy with the bat down the order.
Mohammad Shami excelled in New Zealand. The skiddy pacer is the ideal foil for Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar.
That takes us to the final four in the 15-member squad. K L Rahul has cemented his place as the back-up opener with his fine showing for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
Rahul can also be used as a 'floater' if needed. And most importantly, he enjoys the confidence of Kohli.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has formed a potent combination with Kuldeep. The Haryana player should get the nod if India decide to go in with two spinners in the playing XI.
Rishabh Pant is our choice for the reserve wicketkeeper’s slot. While Dinesh Karthik has loads of experience and is very effective with his big-hitting, Pant has the X-factor.
The left-hander could win a game with his explosive batting and that gives him the edge over Karthik.
Pacer Umesh Yadav completes the list. The Vidarbha player pips all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja solely because the conditions in England demand a fourth specialist pacer in the squad. Jadeja can consider himself unlucky to miss the bus.
Thus the squad consists of five batsmen, two all-rounders, two wicketkeepers, two spinners and four pacers.
The predicted squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma (vice-capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Vijay Shankar, M S Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, K L Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant (wk) and Umesh Yadav.
