CWC 2019: 3 things India need to try in the warm-up fixtures

The Indian cricket team have landed on English soil seeking their third Cricket World Cup title. The Men in Blue will kick-start their campaign against the Proteas on 5th June. But before they start their World Cup campaign, they will play two warm-up games; one each against New Zealand and Bangladesh.

India enter the tournament as one of the favorites alongside the hosts England. They are the No. 2-ranked ODI side in the world and have the second-highest win percentage since the last World Cup.

On paper, the side looks as balanced as ever. However, there are certain areas that the team management might need to address before the tournament starts.

Here is a list of three things India should try out in the two warm-up games:

#1 Play both Vijay Shankar and KL Rahul in the middle order

KL Rahul needs to be tried in the middle order alongside Vijay Shankar in the warm-up games

Chief selector MSK Prasad is of the view that Vijay Shankar is the first choice No. 4 batter and KL Rahul is the back-up opener. However, Shankar's poor form and Rahul's sensational run in the IPL seems to have turned the tables to some extent. There is the possibility that India will opt for Rahul at four.

The only problem with this is the fact that Rahul has been below par whenever used as anything other than an opener in ODIs. Vijay Shankar, on the other hand, is a tried and tested middle-order batsman, who can bat anywhere between number four and seven. That gives Shankar the edge over Rahul.

What the management can do in the warm-up games is give both Rahul and Shankar a chance in the middle order. Rahul at four and Shankar at five has to be the way forward and this will help India gauge the form of the two batsmen and also provide them with an insight into Rahul's ability in the middle order.

#2 Decide on the second seamer

Bhuvneshwar and Shami both have similar numbers since October 2018

Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have shared the burden of opening the bowling as well as bowling at the death for a couple of years now. The two looked primed to do the job for India in the World Cup as well. However, recurring injuries to both of them forced the management to zone in on a reliable third seamer.

After trying out a number of pacers, the selectors decided to go in with the experienced Mohammed Shami.

Shami, having played just four games between the 2015 World Cup and October 2018, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His Man of the Series-winning performances in New Zealand have only made his case stronger. His death bowling has also improved drastically as evident from the recently concluded IPL.

Both Shami and Bhuvi have similar numbers since October 2018. While Bhuvi adds an extra dimension with his batting capabilities at number eight, Shami has the ability to pick wickets in any conditions at any stage of the game.

Despite both of them being world-class bowlers, only one can feature regularly for the side in the World Cup. The warm-up games will be the best opportunity for Kohli to decide who he wants partnering Bumrah in the World Cup.

#3 Give Kedar Jadhav enough batting and Vijay Shankar enough bowling

Kedar Jadhav, coming off a poor IPL and an injury, needs time in the middle to get his form back

Kedar Jadhav is an experienced batsman, but was in terrible form in the IPL. Moreover, he is just returning to action after suffering a shoulder injury. Kedar's presence at No. 6 will be crucial to India's fortunes.

He has the ability to stay composed under pressure and his form is extremely important for India going into the World Cup. Coming off a poor IPL and a shoulder injury, Jadhav needs to be given enough time in the middle to get back his rhythm and be mentally prepared for the big games.

Coming to Vijay Shankar, his bowling is yet to be tested at the international level. In the limited games he has played for India, the captain has not shown enough faith in him with the ball.

However, his bowling is essential for the team in case Hardik Pandya has a bad day on the field or gets injured. Bowling Shankar in crucial games in the World Cup without giving him prior match practice might prove to be a disaster and hence, he needs to be handed an opportunity in the two warm-up games.