3 one-on-one competitions within the Indian team for a spot in the World Cup squad

England is set to host the 50-over World Cup next year from the end of May. India are amongst the favourites to lift the trophy after their disappointing performance in the previous edition. However, apart from a core of around 9 players, many spots in the team is still up for grabs. The selectors have started the process of narrowing down the options and they will need to take some hard decisions while selecting the World Cup squad.

On that note, we have listed down 3 competitions in the team which may see only one among them get through to the squad.

#1 Ravindra Jadeja vs Kedar Jadhav

Hardik Pandya will be a certainty in the World Cup squad as a pace bowling all-rounder is a necessity on the pacer-friendly wickets of England. We all know Hardik's hitting abilities and he can take out the opposition on his day.

That leaves only one spot available for the all-rounder's role. Since Chahal and Kuldeep are the lead spinners, Jadeja has to fight it out with Kedar Jadhav for an opportunity at the World Cup. While Kedar is a batting all-rounder with unpredictable bowling performances, Jadeja is a genuine bowling all-rounder who can guarantee a few good overs.

Kedar is suitable at No.6 but Jadeja cannot play above No.7 due to his limited batting skills. On the fielding front, Jadeja scores ahead of Jadhav. The series against Windies will be important because if Jadeja plays well, the team management might consider playing him ahead of one of the wrist spinners. On the other hand, Kedar Jadhav is ruled out of this series and he has to impress big time in Australia to confirm his ticket to England.

#2 Dinesh Karthik vs Rishabh Pant

Dinesh Karthik could be a better pick due to his experience

India will most likely stick with MS Dhoni as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the World Cup next year. With Dhoni's inconsistent form, the selectors would like to include a backup wicketkeeper in the team. India can also use these players as a cover to the unstable middle-order.

While Dinesh Karthik is the second most experienced wicketkeeper in the country, Rishabh Pant is just one match old. However, Pant is in great form but DK is struggling with his bat. The selectors will have a difficulty in choosing between experience and form.

The selectors have dropped Karthik for the Windies series and have given a chance to Pant. Karthik can still get a look-in if Pant does not reach his expectations in the upcoming matches. With the World Cup set to start in under 8 months, this competition will generate a lot of curiosity.

#3 Mohammed Shami vs Umesh Yadav

It would be difficult to leave out one among these two

The Indian team might come across situations where they have to play a third seamer on the green pitches of England. Until now, the Indian team was contemplating of giving this responsibility to a young fast arm bowler like Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar. However, they have included both Shami and Umesh for the series against West Indies and have given a clue that one of these experienced bowlers will assist Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar at the World Cup.

While Shami was initially selected in the squad, Umesh was brought in later as a replacement to Shardul Thakur. Umesh was impressive in his ten-wicket haul in the test match against Windies. That places both these players on the same level and only their performances in the ongoing series against West Indies will decide who will come out in front.