India key weapons for the World Cup
India swept Sri Lanka 3-0 in the 3-match ODI series. The visitors posed little threat to the home team throughout the series. Sri Lanka did put up a spirited fight in the second game but largely they appeared listless. India will be playing a 3-match ODI series against New Zealand and Australia before the IPL. The Asia Cup later will also help India iron out flaws ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year. Let us look at the details of India key weapons for the World Cup.
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We look at who could be India key weapons for the World Cup:
#5 Prasidh Krishna/Umran Malik
It is important to pick wickets in the middle overs. The four-fielder rule between 11-40 overs makes it imperative for the fielding sides to pick wickets. If a team is not held back during this phase then batting teams will run away with the game. It is here where the role of a fearsome fast bowler comes into play.
Prasidh Krishna in his brief ODI career did show promising signs. His hit-the-deck bowling will be difficult for batters to get away with. Umran Malik’s outright pace makes him another interesting prospect during this phase. India will be keen to follow the development of these two young pacers heading into the World Cup.
#4 Axar Patel/ Washington Sundar
The World Cup being played at home helps India fiddle with spin bowling all-round options. India has the luxury of spin-bowling all-rounders with them. The team can field the best-suited option at number 7 basis team balance and matchups. Axar Patel is the frontrunner for the number 7 spot. He is a handful in Indian conditions. Washington Sundar brings in a different variety with his topspin. Both of them being southpaws could add more arsenal to India’s plans.
#3 Hardik Pandya/ Ravindra Jadeja
The all-rounders come into the picture starting at number 6. Hardik Pandya is the incumbent for the number 6 spot in the ODIs. Pandya provides the much-needed balance to the side with his pace bowling. India could look to field just two seamers plus Pandya.
If Pandya’s fitness doesn’t hold up, India has a terrific replacement in Ravindra Jadeja. If India can’t play Pandya and Jadeja together, they can still field 3 pace and 2 spin options with batting depth till number 8.
#2 Mohammad Siraj
He has been India’s numero uno pacer in ODIs since the last year. Mohammad Siraj has solved India’s problem of not taking wickets in the powerplay. Siraj’s ability to swing the ball both ways has troubled batters of all kinds. He broke open the Lankan batting in the third ODI especially picking out 4 wickets within the first 10 overs. Siraj will be crucial to India’s plans in the World Cup. He will be tested against stronger teams but Siraj has enough tricks up his sleeve to halt the aggressors.
#1 Kuldeep Yadav
India shied away from playing Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav together post the 2019 World Cup. It resulted in India’s dwindling ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs. India has now slowly shifted back to what worked for them big time in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.
Kuldeep Yadav in his limited opportunities has presented a strong case to be India’s number-one spinner in the XI. Batsmen are yet to come to terms with his quicker pace and deception. His improved batting ability adds more weight to his inclusion in the side.
