India may be back playing in their favourite format, but the match against England exposed a lot of issues India need to address immediately.
Opening combination
Shikhar Dhawan has been consistently struggling and his poor technique to counter moving ball has exposed his vulnerability at the top.
He needs to work on his temperament, curb his shots early in the innings and play based on the merit of each ball. He is a natural stroke-maker but on bouncy and moving conditions he has been found wanting.
He needs couple of big scores otherwise Ajinkya Rahane should take over in the World Cup as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner. Having said that, there is a very little chance that Dhawan will be left out of the World Cup.
Is Ambati Rayudu a number 3?
Sharma’s hamstring injury forced him to sit out the England game and Rayudu was sent in at no. 3 to face the rampaging Steven Finn and Jimmy Anderson. While he stuck in the middle for some time and played some desperate shots, he looks a misfit at 3.
There could be a reason not to send Virat Kohli in early to face Anderson, but he’s the best bet to bat at 3. The ball is hard earlier in the innings and Kohli likes the ball to come on to the bat nicely to play his strokes.
Lower order
While middle order has Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, who are natural stroke-makers and can pace the innings at will, they need strong support at other end, and Stuart Binny seems the right option. Binny should be given a decent shot, as an all rounder he could play an important role in the World Cup. And while opening bowling with him against England was too much to ask, he did his bit by taking the only wicket.
Axar Patel could be a handy bowler to contain runs in the middle overs, but I am not so confident about his batting on Australian pitches, after he got out without scoring runs in both matches. He needs to score runs right away and keep the scoreboard ticking, and he hasn’t been up to the mark here. Once Ravindra Jadeja is fit, he will have to play similar role as I described for Patel.
Bowling combinations
Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have not made a mark on this tour but have conceded lot of runs. If this is still the case by the end of this series, India may want to try Ishant Sharma ahead of Yadav or Shami.
India need to regain the momentum in the remaining two matches. While qualifying for the final is now a distant dream, they could use these matches to make a call on Dhawan and Binny.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
@ Ramandeep - I agree with the notion of playing your best every game. My concern though is the modern cricket calendar has completely distorted the level of importance we give to so many headline fixtures. Back when Tests and ODIs existed solely together (the happy days), teams still had the capacity to play first class and one day tour matches as warm up games. These were low key fixtures where the cameras were away, and batsmen and bowlers could have time at the wicket to find their form and familiarise themselves with conditions. These games have now been replaced with the T20 circus, where the cameras cannot help but be there. From a playing perspective, I cannot blame the Indian team for taking this route if that is indeed what they have done. At the same time, it would be extremely irksome for them to take this series easy, for then to then prioritise the IPL in a couple of months time. From the Australian, England and India team's perspective, if they had a choice between the Carlton Mid Series and the World Cup, I know which one they'd all choose.
Ramandeep Singh
Roar Rookie
@Vas Venkatramani: if they are not delivering the perfomance deliberately, then they don't deserve to Play the game
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Haha, believe me spruce moose, you will not find a happier soul than me than to see India get knocked out in the group stage. Unlikely, but as you say, I'm an optimist.
Titch
Guest
India are lions at home and lambs away.
spruce moose
Guest
That's a call only an optimist would make.
spruce moose
Guest
Bit harsh on Raina jammel, he hit a good 50 at the MCG. Dhawan is just confirming what many believed the moment be made it to top level cricket. He is ordinary outside India. Refuses to accept the ball bounces more here.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
I think India is pulling the wool on everyone a bit, and that their performances so far this series will not be the kind of display we see during the WC. There is no secret about how fatigue may play a massive hindrance in India's quest to defend their title. For this reason, I will not be at all surprised if the team directive is to take a low-key approach to this series, and to simply do nothing more than become familiar with the conditions. In fact, I would go so far to predict that India would prefer NOT to play in the tri-series final, as that would enable them some minor rest before the World Cup kicks off. Players like Kohli and Rahane could do with a rest. But come February 15 against Pakistan, I think India will put up a show far different to what we've seen so far. That said, I am not sure how suitable it is to approach the World Cup without any wins on the board. I don't expect India to win the World Cup again, but I do think they are deliberately not playing on overdrive right now to conserve their strength for the next two months.
jammel
Guest
Surely India have some better ODI batsmen than Raina and Dhawan. They both look found out on Australian pitches and really, really out of form too in Raina's case. Verdict is open on Rayudu. It might not fit with the way India want to play the game, but I'd be looking to bring in some quality batsmen that can build an innings. Think Vijay. I.e. something like the following might be India's best chance for the top six/seven (don't know if they're all available though). Would love to see one or both of Ashwin and Jadeja in the XI. Vijay Sharma Rahane Kohli Rayudu Dhoni Jadeja Ashwin
Ramandeep Singh
Roar Rookie
They just opened the door to the world to let them see that they are not going to win the world cup this time