5 reasons why India are in the right direction for the ICC World Cup 2019

India was on a juggernaut in the recently concluded cricketing season. Apart from the Test series against South Africa, India won everything against different oppositions. It's not that the team wasn't tested, in fact they were put under pressure several times during the season, but the beauty of this current lot is that they know no fear and therefore, are able to make strong comebacks to every setback.

With the 2019 World Cup just a year away now, let's look at the five reasons why India is on the right path.

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#1 A vast pool of players

This Indian team is blessed with a great mix of experience and youth

India seems to be the best team in terms of planning for any of the ICC events. The current team has such a vast pool of players for each category, that it will be tough for the selectors to name the squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Be it the spin department, the fast-bowling department or the batting, India has worthy backups for every position. In fact, India is one those few teams that can hypothetically field two teams in a tournament.

But here we have to credit the BCCI for maintaining a strong domestic circuit and knowing its value. Even IPL plays a huge role for the players, at least financially.

#2 A fantastic top order

The cream is always at the top

The Indian team has arguably the best top order in the world right now. It comprises of - Rohit Sharma, a player who tends to go big once settled, Shikhar Dhawan, who looks to attack from the word go, and Virat Kohli, the run machine himself. This top order is as complete as it gets.

Statistically, the Indian top order contributes 65% of the runs scored in a winning cause. That's the prowess of the top-order that India possesses.

The year 2017 was a very successful year for Team India as they had a winning percentage of 75% during this period and a lot of credit goes to the top 3.

#3 The fire-ice combo of Team India

Former Captain Cool with Captain Fearless

India's recent success is also a testimony of the seamless transition that took place during the change at the helm. The camaraderie between the captain and the former captain is a delight for every cricket fan. MS Dhoni's calmness and Virat's aggression is the perfect combination for the Indian cricket team's success.

We've often witnessed their on-field conversations through the stump mic, and how Dhoni takes the charge once the spinners come on. This just gives Virat another perspective to think and reduces his burden as a captain. With the kind of experience Dhoni has, coupled with the fearlessness of Kohli, India does find itself in a very nice space.

#4 A flamboyant all-rounder

Hardik is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball

Hardik Pandya's meteoric rise is just what the Indian team needed for the perfect balance. Hardik allows the team to field as many as seven batsmen along with four regular bowlers with one or two part-time options.

With India being able to field seven batsmen, it allows them to be a bit more aggressive as they know that there is batting depth in the team. He also plays the role of the floater, as whenever the team needs to up the ante, Hardik is promoted.

His bowling has improved drastically, and he has been playing the role of the third seamer quite well.

#5 The "Deadly" Duo

The yorker master and the swing king

Death bowling was an area of concern for every Indian captain in the past and it often made the difference between winning and losing. But this issue has been put to rest by the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. They're undoubtedly the best death bowling pair around the world right now.

Here again, we have to credit the IPL for their mastery at death bowling. Jasprit was an IPL find and was taught the art of death bowling by none other than Lasith Malinga himself. It was then that he mastered those skills and became the bowler he is today.

On the other hand, Bhuvi honed his skills just by practising it day in and day out during the IPL. Today they both posses everything in their arsenal to be successful at the international level.