5 major areas of concern for Virat Kohli before the World Cup, and the solution to each

India are undoubtedly among the favorites to win the 2019 World Cup, but the team has faced a number of issues in the recent past. Let us look at the major areas of concern that they need to address if they hope to clinch the World Cup.

Problem #1: The middle muddle

Almost a dozen players have been tried at the troublesome No. 4 slot since the 2015 World Cup. They include Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Ajinkiya Rahane, KL Rahul and Manoj Tiwary, and once Virat Kohli himself batted at No. 4.

But none of them made a good enough case for the management to freeze the slot for the player.

Ambati Rayudu in action

The latest to join the list is Ambati Rayudu, and he fared decently fared in the opportunities he got in the West Indies series. But the problem is that he has scored all the runs in favorable conditions and against the weak bowling line-up of the Windies. In alien conditions, his technique against quality bowling would be tested.

Solution

This solution is usually typical of team management thinking: bring back the old warhorse. Yes, I believe the man who handled the role of No. 4 in the World Cup 2015 would be best suited to reprise that role in 2019.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is someone who struggles in home conditions but can score some valuable runs overseas. He is more technically sound than Rayudu and thus can tackle good bowling line-ups.

The other viable option other than Rahane is another warhorse, and it's none other the Captain Cool MS Dhoni.

England v India - 2nd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

The recent struggles of Dhoni are attributed to the fact that he is no more the finisher he once was. With the advancing of age he has lost his Midas touch in finishing games. It makes sense then that now is the time when India can use him as an ideal accumulator. Dhoni at No. 4 is not a bad option; India can find better players to do the finishing job.

Just think of Kohli and Dhoni batting together for long; it would be a nightmare for the bowlers.

Problem #2: The all-rounder's slot

The World Cup winning team of 2011 had seven batsmen + Harbhajan Singh (who could use the long handle well), and four front-line bowlers + the services of Yuvraj, Raina / Yusuf Pathan and Sehwag with the ball.

Thus, they had about 7 batsmen and 7 bowlers. Thus, even if a front-line bowler had a bad day, the others could compensate. It goes without saying that it is important for Kohli to find the right all-rounders for the side that will travel to England in 2019.

Solution

OPTION 1:

Hardik Pandya's contribution with the bat has been quite decent

Hardik Pandya has had a decent amount of success in his career so far and is valuable to the balance of the team. But even though he is quite efficient with the bat, he still has a lot to improve with the ball.

If the management wants to have a batting all-rounder at No. 6, the Hardik can easily bat at No. 7. The people in contention for the No. 6 slot would be Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Krunal Pandya.

The form of Raina is under the scanner right now. Jadhav as a wicket-taking option is good, but he is yet to be tested with the bat. Thus, it would be ideal if Krunal Pandya bats at No. 6.

He is a better bowler than the rest and playing him would allow Hardik to improve his batting rather than concentrating on his bowling (as of now). Also, Krunal is a left-hander and is very tight in his line and length.

OPTION 2:

Krunal Pandya in action

Krunal is a far better bowler than Hardik, and can fit in the No. 7 slot which would allow Kohli to play either Chahal or Kuldeep as the other spinner.

This way, the team can play three genuine fast bowlers and also a specialist batsman at No.6 (a good finisher, maybe Rishabh Pant).

This No. 7 slot would also be open to Ravindra Jadeja, who has not put a foot wrong since his comeback.

Problem #3: The wicket-keeper's slot

The best man for the keeper's job in India is a no-brainer. But whether MS Dhoni has contributed enough with the bat is a matter of debate.

So who are the other contenders? Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant seem to be the best options.

Rishabh Pant

The fall in Dhoni's form has increased the pressure on the others to up the run rate when he is at the other end. Dhoni's ability to accelerate at will has seriously declined.

Thus, the Indian team management has to take a call on whether to persist with Dhoni (who is undoubtedly a good mentor to Kohli on the field and still has lighting quick reflexes behind the stumps) or if they want someone who is in better form with the bat and can keep wickets decently.

Solution

In my opinion, playing Dhoni below the No. 4 slot is utterly wasteful. So it would make sense to play him at No. 4, with the other wicket-keeper's slot being occupied by the better among Karthik and Pant.

Also, it is an added advantage that both are in good form with the bat and thus can play the finisher's role to perfection.

Dinesh Karthik's exploits as a finisher were seen during the Nidhas Trophy Final

Playing Dhoni at No. 4 and Karthik at No. 5 could be ideal for the team combination as Karthik is both experienced and has used his long handle to good effect in the recent past.

Problem #4: Keeping the pace bowlers fresh

This time around, the World Cup will be conducted in round-robin format rather than group format. Even the 10th-ranked team will get to play a minimum of 9 games.

Thus, it is important that the players are fit and fresh during the entire period of time.

Solution

The workload of the fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah must be watched closely

The best solution for this is to pick the right fast bowlers in the squad for the World Cup.

Considering the requirements of team balance, let us assume that India can pick four fast bowlers (excluding Hardik). Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah pick themselves, but the other two slots would be very crucial in balancing the workload.

My picks for the other two slots are Khaleel Ahmed and Mohhammed Shami. Rotating the other reserves during the matches against weaker opposition will help in keeping the pacers fresh throughout the tournament. The other contenders for these two spots are Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Siddharth Kaul.

But with conditions in England favoring swing and also with the experience on Shami's side, he may get a nod ahead of the others.

Problem #5: Team Selection Policy

The selection policy of the team management - headed by Kohli and Shastri - has been poor in the recent past

In the recently concluded Test series against England, the team management picked Kuldeep Yadav and played two spinners on a green track. This selection back-fired really badly and Kuldeep had one of his worst outings, which also led to India losing the match and ultimately the series.

Solution

Pick the team in accordance to what the pitch is like and what the team balance requires, rather than playing someone just because he has troubled the opposition in the past. He can have a really bad day if the pitch is not assisting him.

The challenge starts from picking the right squad. It is important that there is a backup for every player (even though it is not possible, there must be a likely replacement).

It is important that the team management and the selection committee pick a well balanced squad for the World Cup.

Probable squad for the World Cup

My First XI:

1) Rohit Sharma

2) Shikhar Dhawan

3) Virat Kohli (C)

4) MS Dhoni (W)

5) Dinesh Karthik

6) Hardik Pandya

7) Krunal Pandya

8) Bhuvneshwar Kumar

9) Kuldeep Yadav

10) Jasprit Bumrah

11) Yuzvendra Chahal

Reserves:

12) Mohammed Shami

13) Khaleel Ahmed

14) Ajinkya Rahane / Ambati Rayudu (depends on how Rayudu performs in Australia)

15) Kedar Jadhav / Ravindra Jadeja

My squad is based on multiple factors like the playing conditions in England, the current form of the players and their previous performance in England.

If the pitch doesn't assist spinners then the team management can replace one of the reserve pace bowlers with either of Kuldeep or Chahal. Also, the team can tinker around with playing Rahane or Rayudu at 4 and moving Dhoni a step down. And Kedar Jadhav can replace Krunal if the latter fails to impress.

So yes, that's my squad for the World Cup. What's yours? Comment your views and suggestions, and maybe even put your squad below.