ICC World Cup 2019: 3 players who can provide the X-factor for India

#1 MS Dhoni

Dhoni "the Captain" won India the 2011 World Cup

A few months before the start of the IPL, serious question marks were being raised about Dhoni's place in the Indian team. His batting form had begun to wane. His strike rate had slowed down. He no longer possessed the same belligerent physical strength. Many people felt that a younger and more attack-minded Rishabh Pant would be a better option.

But Dhoni's batting in the IPL laid to rest all the debates and doubts. He anchored the Chennai Super Kings middle order with 416 runs at an astonishing average of 83.2. More importantly, he scored at a healthy strike rate of 134.62. This was despite the fact that CSK played all their home games on a slow and low scoring Chepauk pitch.

What would have pleased not just CSK but all Indian fans, was that Dhoni hit 23 sixes in the tournament. It felt like the Dhoni of old - a smart batsman who knows when to bide his time and when to bring out the big shots from his armory. CSK made it to the finals mainly because of Dhoni's batting.

With Dhoni in this kind of form, India can shuffle the batting order. He can bat at number 4 and control the innings, or come in at number 5 as the designated finisher.

Dhoni's composure is just what the team needs in the middle order. With big hitters before and after him in the batting order, he can be the fulcrum around which the batting rotates.

Dhoni also has a critical role to play as Kohli's adviser-in-chief. It is no secret that without Dhoni behind the stumps, Kohli would have been a far less successful captain. Very often it is MSD who still sets the fields and devises plans for the bowlers; Chahal and Kuldeep have a lot to thank Dhoni for.

Kolhi needs Dhoni's experience and tactical acumen if this team is to win the Cup. Can this be MSD's perfect swansong like it was for Sachin Tendulkar in 2011?