Predicting the Indian ODI batting line-up before Champions Trophy 2017

India, the current holders of the Champions Trophy have shown their unlimited resources in their batting department. Even with a second string side, the young batting brigade has outsmarted Zimbabwe comprehensively in the three-match ODI series.

This cricket tour is bound to give the selectors a sweet headache as they sit down to pick a full strength side for other tours. The Champions Trophy which will be held in England next year might see few changes in the limited overs set-up for the Men in Blue.

As all the players become fit and available, there might be few tweaks to the team, more so to the batting department.

We speculate over the Indian batting for the Champions Trophy. There are few positions which need no debate, but then other positions are certainly up for grabs.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

There is no doubt that a fit and available Rohit will walk into the ODI side without any complaints. He has been one of more consistent Indian batsmen over the last 3 years.

Ever since he became the opener in ODIs, his batting has reached another level. He started his opening career in the 2013 Champions Trophy and looked at ease. He has since not looked back.

In 2013, he scored 1196 runs in 27 innings at an average of 52 and with a strike rate of 80.81. He also scored his first double century in Bangalore.

He continued his form the next year in which he amassed 578 runs in 12 innings at an average of 52.54 and with a strike rate of 94.29. Against Sri Lanka, he plundered 264 runs at Eden Gardens.

The consistent run continued in 2015, in which he scored 815 runs in 17 matches. This included a 150 run knock against Bangladesh in the World Cup.

This year he has so scored 441 runs in 5 innings with an average of 110.25 and a strike rate of 101.61.

There is absolutely no question over his position at the top of the order leading into the Champions Trophy.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan/ KL Rahul

For all his struggles in Test Matches, Shikhar Dhawan has been quite decent in the limited overs format. He averages a decent 43.97 in 73 innings. However, he has not quite looked himself in the recent past and there have been many who have demanded that he is axed from the team. However, he has another chance to prove his critics wrong as he goes to the West Indies. It is also worth remembering, that Dhawan made a name for himself in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he was the player of the tournament.

KL Rahul has emerged as a viable option for limited overs format as well. He sprung to the attention of the Indian selectors with his sparkling form in the Indian Premier League. This helped him earn a National call for the tour to Zimbabwe. He did not disappoint there either and became the first Indian batsman to score a century on his ODI debut.

If both the players do well in the coming series, the selectors will be confronted with a sweet headache ahead of the Champions Trophy.

#3 Virat Kohli

As soon as Virat Kohli’s name is written, all the question marks anywhere around seem to fizzle out. Kohli at three is like a rock, who has just gone from strength to strength, and there will be no doubt over his inclusion whatsoever.

This and the fact, that he failed in India's previous tour to England will always something that he would love to set right. What better to do it on a global stage, at a time when it matters most.

His record in ICC tournaments is fairly consistent, hence it all bodes well for the prospects of the defending champions.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane/Manish Pandey

The fact that Rahane's name is still up for debate is a crying shame. A technically correct batsman, Rahane has established himself as one the best Test Batsman for India. However, his limited-overs place and role is still debated. In England, where the ball swings and seams, his correct technique will be needed to combat the moving ball and coming in at number 4 he can anchor the innings. But, few have still doubts over his power game and this is one area where he needs to improve. Apart from this, he is a brilliant fielder and is worth his weight in gold in the field.

The number 4 spot can also be taken by Manish Pandey who has quietly worked his way and has now may be the number 4 India wants for the One Day Internationals. His maiden century against Australia in Sydney is a testament to his talent and temperament. He can also play the big shots and can take advantage of the slog overs with ease. And like Rahane is a brilliant athlete and fielder.

Certainly a problematic toss up for the selectors and the skipper!

#5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

He may be past his prime as many believe, but even a half-effective MS Dhoni is capable enough to win games. And then there are no better leaders in the limited overs format.

In the ongoing series against Zimbabwe, Dhoni has shown enough instances which have convinced us that he is the man to lead India into another ICC tournament. And yes, to defend the title.

Dhoni will now have the company of Anil Kumble and together they can forge an enviable alliance. The enigmatic skipper has been the vice-captain of the team when Anil Kumble took over as the Test Skipper and hence the equation is expected to be comfortable. This might help Dhoni rediscover his mojo with the bat as well, for there is no denying that an in-form Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be the X-factor in the team, especially in an ICC Tournament.

#6 Ambati Rayudu/Suresh Raina/Kedar Jadhav

I am sure there will be a lot of eyebrows raised as I mention Ambati Rayudu, but then on close introspection, the man deserves a lot more credit and chance than he actually gets. It is hard to stumble upon any chance that Rayudu has not taken advantage of. He averages 50.23 in the 30 innings he has played, and it is only fair that he gets his chance in the main team, and for a longer duration.

The other possible candidate for this position is Kedar Jadhav. It may appear a bit out of the box but is worth the punt. The Maharashtra batsman has been in the mix for a fairly long time as he churned out runs in the domestic circuit. When he finally got his opportunity on the tour to Zimbabwe in 2015, he made it count by scoring a century and bailing India out from a precarious situation. In this series too, he made a crucial 58 in the final T20 and gave India the breathing space. Jadhav can play the role of a finisher as he has the ability to innovate and clear the ropes. At the same time, he has the game which will allow him to soak in pressure at crunch moments. A name which is left-field but certainly with promise.

And then we have the tried and tested name in Suresh Raina. The southpaw is currently out of favour for the limited overs squad, but then we know his ability. If can find his form in the domestic circuit, there is no reason why the selectors will not go back to him.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja/Axar Patel

Both Jadeja and Patel are very similar in their games. Both bowl fast and accurate left-arm spin and can tonk the ball during the latter half of the innings.

However, while Jadeja might be the preferred choice because of his experience and better bowling, Axar is not a bad choice either as he had taken huge strides with his batting.

It will be an understatement to say that the batting of Ravindra Jadeja has seen a massive plunge and this is where Axar might get the nod as he has shown the ability to clear boundaries with clean hitting during the Indian Premier League and the recently concluded Zimbabwe series.