CWC 2019: Five different team combinations that India can play 

The fever of ICC World Cup 2019 is continuously widening in the minds of the cricket fans all around the globe. The top 10 cricketing nations will lock their horns with a common goal of lifting that prestigious trophy. Australia will begin their title defense on 1st June when they take on underdogs Afghanistan.

India, who start their campaign on 5th June, will be looking to live up to the expectations of being one of the favorites.

On 15th May 2018, The Board of Control of Cricket in India announced India’s 15 member squad and the backup options for the tournament. The team has got all the bases covered, and it looks a pretty balanced side. Many pundits have even hailed it as the best Indian squad ever. With the WC to be held in England, India would be looking to replicate the success of the 1983 World Cup.

India can field different squads based on the different conditions and form and utility of the players. On this note, let us take a look at a few of them.

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#1 2 fast-bowlers and 2 spinners

This is the most likely combination that India will field.

This is the most likely combination that India will field. In this scenario, Jasprit Bumrah will be the front liner and either of Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshvar Kumar will have the onus of being the second pacer in the lineup. Spin-twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will share the duties of taking wickets during the middle overs.

The duties of the remaining 10 overs will be shared by Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, and Vijay Shankar. This tactic will enjoy the priority unless some considerable external factors play the role of a spoilsport.

This tactic will mean that Virat Kohli will enjoy the luxury of 7 bowlers and 7 batsmen. This team will have more depth than any other combination.

Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami/ Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

#2 3 fast-bowlers and 1 spinner

If this tactic is used, Chahal, unfortunately will have to be axed

This tactic might be seen if the weather remains overcast, a common occurence in England. In such conditions, the ball tends to move for a longer time, and there is constant assistance for the fast bowlers even after the swing is over. As it had been seen in the 4th Test between India and England and 4th ODI between New Zealand and India, the spinners are generally ineffective in such sort of games and pacers rule the proceedings.

Therefore, we might see Yuzvendra Chahal facing the axe in such kinds of matches. Although it would be a really tough call, it will certainly help the team. Kuldeep Yadav would be the lone spinner, and Hardik Pandya will play the role of the fifth fast-bowler. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshvar Kumar and Mohammad Shami will be the 3 frontline fast-bowlers.

Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

#3 An extra front-line bowler in place of Kedar Jadhav

An extra bowler will be vital if the turf is totally flat

The English decks are generally flat, meaning a lottery for the batsmen and a graveyard for the bowlers. Bulks of runs are scored and bowlers often seem helpless. Therefore, the presence of an extra bowler is always a huge bonus, as he can compensate for the loss if someone has a bad day.

Thus, an extra pacer in place of Kedar Jadhav might be seen. Although this move seems highly improbable, this is a gamble that Kohli has often played in IPL on flat Chinnaswamy decks. We all know that 3 fast bowlers in Bhuvi, Bumrah, and Shami, in addition to the spin twins can give the team 50 overs. It is quite obvious that Pandya and Shankar can’t be dropped due to their striking abilities, a much-needed factor on a flat deck.

Therefore, dropping Jadhav might prove to be a blessing in disguise. This will certainly reduce the depth in the batting, but India will still have enough power to compensate that loss. But the absence of a quality fast bowler will mean that those 10 crucial overs will be taken on demand.

Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

#4 Rahul/Karthik in place of Shankar, Jadeja in for Chahal

Dinesh Karthik

This is another improbable tactic but is certainly worth a gamble. If India plays on a rare bowling turf as they did against NZ in 4th ODI, they will certainly need an extra batsman. On such decks, your bowlers will undoubtedly have a good day, but a stronger and deeper batting is what will make the difference.

Therefore, either of KL Rahul or Dinesh Karthik can be chipped in the squad, which will mean that Vijay Shankar will face the axe. To add more depth, Ravindra Jadeja can be brought in at the cost of Yuzvendra Chahal. On such bowling pitches, one can definitely expect 10 overs from Hardik Pandya.

This will mean that India will still have 5 bowlers, in addition to a lot more depth in the batting.

Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, KL Rahul/Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

#5 An extra spinner instead of Vijay Shankar

Ravindra Jadeja

The English conditions usually don't offer any spin, but we need to look at every possible circumstance. Let's not forget Kuldeep Yadav, who had scalped 6-fer in 1st ODI against England last year in Trent Bridge. Trent Bridge now might be a high scoring pitch, but the likes of Oval and Old Trafford might offer some spin.

In such a case, India can drop the out-of-form Vijay Shankar, and play Ravindra Jadeja as the third spinner. That will mean loss a batsman, but Indian players are good players of spin and the top 5 can still compensate that loss. We know that overseas batsmen struggle against spin, and India can exploit that with 3 spinners.

Even if they drop Shankar, India will still be left with 7 players who can bat, in addition to 7 bowling options to their service.

Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav