What should be the playing 11 of the Indian Team going into the World Cup ?

Team India's strongest possible playing XI for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

The Troika of Virat, Rohit and Dhawan.

The Troika of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have raked up such a remarkable consistent tally of performances in recent times that the Indian middle order has had something of a sinecure.And if there is anything to go by the past, then after 2015 World cup in Australia and New Zealand, majority of the runs are scored by the top three batters for India with Virat Kohli leading the table followed by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan respectively.

Virat Rohit and Dhawan since 2017 in ODIs.

There is lot of debate going on lately for who is going to be India's Number 4 in the upcoming world cup matches.Since the end of ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, they have tried as many as ten different batsmen to fill the gap, but it would be inevitable to say the move has not been successful.

Ambati Rayudu (left) and KL Rahul (right)

The likes of Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik got ample opportunities to prove themselves at no 4 position but failed to provide the much needed stability which is haunting team India from a very long time.

Rayudu and Vijay Shankar both showed intent at no 4 but failed to convert.

Even stalwarts like Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have stepped up to the fore, but not to much avail.Team management also gave Vijay Shankar, and at times Hardik Pandya a chance to try their luck at the no 4 position but only for the latter to fail miserably.

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

Team India will be expecting Hardik Pandya to replicate the IPL show in World cup both with bat and bowl

Although,Vijay Shankar showed some composure while batting at Number 4 during the India-Australia series in Australia and also during the New Zealand series, which was played in New Zealand earlier this year, but failed to convert the start he got into substantial knocks. Also,his inconsistent form during the IPL with the bat added woes to the wound. He has been batting at no 4 position in recently concluded home series against Australia too.

Dinesh Karthik has been used more as a floater rather than a consistent No 4. He was been finishing games off late for India and also for his Franchise KKR in IPL.

KL Rahul is more likely to play the role of a reserved opener rather than playing in the middle order. So, Vijay Shankar should get the nod ahead of Rahul and Karthik at number four.

However, MS Dhoni over the years has made the number 5 position his own, with his skills to take the game deep and up the ante towards the death overs with his lusty blows makes him more suitable at this position than anyone else. 

With Kedar Jadhav and either of Hardik Pandya or Ravi Jadeja (most probably Hardik Pandya with his  better batting abilities) to follow, lower middle orders looks far more formidable. Jadeja can get a look into the playing XI after assessing the wicket (whether it is suitable for pace/spin) and depending on the conditions.

Captain cool MS Dhoni will be the key both behind and in front of the wicket

India steps into the world cup with one of the most vibrant bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah being the spearhead of this bowling unit. As far as the second seamer is concerned, both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami have had similar numbers over the past 6 months. While Bhuvi has an edge with his more than decent batting, Shami gives the extra firepower with the ball in the middle overs.

The Pace troika of Indian Team

In English conditions Pandya can be a good seam bowling option

The pace battery of Jasprit Bumrah,along side Mohammad Shami is yet again ready to uproot the stumps of the opposition batsman with shear pace and accuracy. Both being capable of bowling constantly in the mid 140Kph and with subtle variation up their sleeves makes them even more lethal.

Fast and Furious Bumrah-Shami

Jasprit Bumrah over the years has emerged as one of the most skilled bowlers with ability to take wickets whenever he is given the ball.The propensity to ball yorkers at will with such an orthodox action makes him a handy customer in this World cup.

The Spin Duo (Kuldeep-Chahal)

India is the only team to have the luxury of playing two wrist spinners in their squad whereas other teams are banking on lone wrist spin attack. With two flawless spin duo in Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, bowling department looks exceptional. Kuldeep Yadav's form during the IPL might be a cause of concern for the team management. But, whenever these two bowls in tandem it is always going to be a hard nut to crack for any opponent.

Expected Playing IX for team India :

1. Rohit Sharma 2. Shikhar Dhawan 3. Virat Kohli (c) 4. Vijay Shankar 5. MS Dhoni (Wkt)  6. Kedar Jadhav 7. Hardik Pandya  8. Mohammad Shami 9. Kuldeep Yadav 10. Yuzvendra Chahal 11. Jasprit Bumrah