ICC World Cup 2019: 4 Problems India need to solve before the 2019 World Cup

India had a reality check 12 months before the World Cup as they lost the ODI series to England 2-1. This put an end to a nine series winning streak for India and this was the first loss in a bilateral ODI series under Kohli’s captaincy. India defeated England comfortably in the first ODI but were completely outplayed in the last two.

India failed to show fight in the last two ODIs as they were thrashed by England, who showed why they are the No.1 ODI team, especially in home conditions. England’s spinners bowled better than India’s at times in the series. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali troubled the Indian batsmen time and again in the three match series.

When India came to England it looked like India had a settled unit but as we have seen in the ODI series, there are a few questions which are still answered. India play 15-16 ODI matches before the World Cup begins, and they will be hoping that they can find the answers before it gets underway. So, let’s have a look at four problems which India need to solve before the 2019 World Cup.

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#4 Backup Fast Bowlers

Who are the backup fast bowlers after Bhuvi and Bumrah?

India’s leading white-ball fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was already ruled out of the ODI series, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the first two ODIs due to a back injury. He looked as if he wasn’t 100% fit in the third ODI as well. The unavailability of these two fast bowlers raises the question of India’s back-up fast bowlers.

India tried three more fast bowlers in the series but most of them were pretty much ineffective. Umesh Yadav, with all the experience, couldn’t do much and the inexperienced Siddarth Kaul failed to impress the Indian captain as he was dropped for the 3rd ODI.

Shardul Thakur got only one game and wasn’t at his best in that one. Other than these three and Shami, India don’t have many bowlers who have played ODIs. India will have to turn to even more inexperienced bowlers like Deepak Chahar and Mohammad Siraj after these four bowlers. Fast bowlers, due to their heavy workload, have a tendency to pick up injuries, and so it is important for India that they find their backup fast bowlers pretty quickly.

#3 MS Dhoni – What is his role as a batsman?

MS Dhoni failed to get going in both the ODIs which he batted

MS Dhoni is still the best wicket-keeper in India. But when it comes to wicket-keeper batsmen, is he the best? MS has been struggling as a batsman in the limited overs format for quite a while now. Barring the IPL, he hasn’t been able to score quickly. He takes time at the start, and more so if the spinners are on.

He definitely has the ability to hit the big shots but rarely is he trying them. Dhoni is really important for India in other aspects as well. He controls the field when Kohli is fielding in the deep and as Chahal and Kuldeep have mentioned, he does half their job by helping them out as to where to ball and what to ball.

If India want MS in the team then his role as a batsman has to be clear. His batting number is constantly changing and seems to be taking a lot of time irrespective of the situation. Either India should bat him up the order so that he can take his time or else he should be pushed down so that he is forced to take more risks and go for the big shots. India needs to assign a clear role with the bat before the World Cup starts in 2019.

#2 Team Balance

India need another all-rounder in their playing XI

It seems like India are failing to get the team balance right. India played Suresh Raina so that he can bowl some overs in the middle which he did. But now with Raina not at his best, it seems like India will be trying somebody else in the middle order.

Now once Raina is dropped, India aren’t left with anybody who can bowl some overs. Most of the players who are in contention for the middle order spots don’t bowl. Looking at India’s five bowlers it is pretty much clear that India does need the cushion of a sixth bowler, especially on flat tracks.

Krunal Pandya is somebody who can do both aspects of the game. He can bat at No.7 with his brother at No.6, and he will be able to bowl some overs as well. He can be a good option to consider before the World Cup. India desperately needs another all-rounder to support Hardik, and find the team balance before the World Cup and that’s why this problem is slotted in at No.2 on this list.

#1 Middle Order still not up to scratch

Suresh Raina failed to impress in the chances which he got

India came to England to fix their middle order spots and after the three matches, they still don’t know as to whom fits in their middle order. The simple reason for this is too much chopping and changing. KL Rahul was given only two chances at No.4, during which he failed only in one match.

Immediately he was dropped for the next game, and Dinesh Karthik was given a chance. He too didn’t score enough runs, so the No.4 spot still remains open. Suresh Raina failed to impress in this series and so another slot is still to be filled. India have been trying a number of players at that position but they still haven’t found the ideal player.

Whenever India’s top three fails, they are in trouble as their middle order doesn’t step up. In the World Cup the top three can have an occasional bad day and then the middle order becomes important. India need to find the ideal players for the middle order for the World Cup or they will keep struggling when their top order fails.