The 2011 world cup champions begin their quest for the cup on the 5th of June against the Proteas. So, before their first game, let's look at their top players, their weaker links and what makes them the "one of the favourites" at this quadrennial event.
Their strengths are right the top, with Dhawan, Rohit and Virat making the best top 3 in the world right now. With Dhawan and Rohit averaging well above 50 and Virat above 100 last year, these 3 look set to bat any bowling attack out of the game. But once you break into their middle order without many runs on the board, the team can crumble. We saw pretty much the same scenario in both the warm ups with the top blown away, but the reply from their middle order was different as day and night. Against the Kiwis, their middle order surrendered with Jadeja fighting a lone battle. While in the game against Bangla tigers, MS and KL batted gave the bowlers a literal thrashing.
Another question that we have been asking ourselves since the last world cup is, who bats at number 4?. When the team got selected, the chief selector made it clear that Vijay Shankar would be their number 4 for the initial few matches. But with the IPL gone by and both of the warms ups, it is KL Rahul who looks set to don the number 4 hat for the first few games. KL's performances in the IPL showed his credentials as a batsman who can bat in the middle overs and be there at the end as a power hitter. He also has a 149 in tests against England at their home, so he passes the test against the moving ball as well. So, Vijay Shankar might have to wait initially unless the conditions are overcast and they require a medium bowler to assist the 3 fast bowlers.
A concern perhaps isn't so serious yet worth taking a look at is their fielding. Although Indians are no longer "donkeys in the field" (sorry Nasser Hussain :D ), there are a few of fielders who do not quite match the overall standards of the team on the field. With the likes of Rahane, Manish Pandey, Raina and Jadeja(who might not feature in the playing 11 initially) missing, their fielding might just take a hit. Bumrah, Kuldeep, Shami and even Chahal will have to up the ante on the field to save those extra few runs and take the crucial half chance.
The inefficiency of their wrist spinners, if it at all happens, will be a body blow to team India as their wrist spinners have been their X factor in the last couple of years. But, as time has progressed, batsmen all around the world have started to pick them better and they have been going for plenty despite taking wickets. It was evident in the limited overs series against England last year, in the first few matches, Kuldeep was all over the Englishmen and was claiming wickets for fun. But as the series went by, they played him a lot better and he was no longer effective there. Another example was this year's IPL. So, this will be a concern as the tournament goes by, every team will get a taste of them atleast once, and the flat pitches aren't going to help them either.
Their fast bowling department, is one such arena which doesn't really concern me. Shami and Bumrah have been spectacular, Bhuvi has started to find his rhythm, and Pandya is a decent bet for the 3rd seamer job. Bumrah, especially, has been phenomenal and his calm and mature head at the death overs might just make the difference. Allan Donald recently called him the best bowler in the world right now, and I really can't disagree with him.
So, with that, I would say they have a great chance, and I couldn't agree more with the statement Ravi Shastri had made, "If they play to their potential, they might just walk away with the cup". I am certainly backing them to reach the semis, and after that, it is the team that handles the pressure of being in the semis and finals actually goes on to win.
Comments