5 issues which need to be addressed by the Indian ODI team before the 2019 World Cup

#4. The All-Rounder

Hardik Pandya has been inconsistent with both the bat and the ball in the ongoing ODI series

Hardik Pandya is the lone all-rounder in the Indian squad at present. Pandya, on his day, can be devastating with the bat and can bowl an occasional good spell. However consistency is what Pandya lacks and the management will have to ponder over his role for the 2019 World Cup.

Pandya has been totally inconsistent in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Out of the 4 ODIs, Pandya has batted in 2 matches and scored just 26 runs. The youngster from Baroda has been inconsistent with the ball too. Having been picked as the fifth bowling option, Pandya at most times does not bowl his quota of 10 overs and the captain has to turn to his part-time bowlers to complete his quota. In his ODI career, Pandya in 37 matches has picked up 36 wickets at an average of 38.58 and an economy of 5.59.

The team management will have to consider whether they would want to persist with the inconsistent Hardik Pandya or whether they would want to groom a specialist finisher at number 7 or look to bring in a spinning all-rounder in the squad for the 2019 World Cup.