India vs Australia 2019: 4 things for Indian fans to look forward to

We do not get to see India vs Pakistan matches often these days. However, we do still have the India vs Australia rivalry to give us some spicy cricket.

After a long tour Down Under which gave India moments to cherish for a lifetime, it is now India's chance to welcome the Aussies in their own backyard for a limited-overs series.

With India looking to settle their squad for the World Cup 2019, this series gives the management one final opportunity to clear their doubts about which players to select and which players to remove.

Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will come back into the side after a short break, and will be raring to go. While Kohli will first and foremost be looking to win the series, India can still try out a few options for the World Cup.

So let's look at 4 major things to look forward to in the India vs Australia series 2019.

#1 The experience of Umesh Yadav or the youth of Khaleel Ahmed?

Mohammed Shami has probably sealed his spot as the third seamer in the squad after the way he bowled Down Under. But since the World Cup is in England, the selectors might look at a fourth seamer option as well.

India have been keenly interested in Khaleel Ahmed because of his left-handed variety. However, that cannot be the only criteria for selecting a player for a major tournament.

Khaleel is still raw, and without any significant first-class or IPL experience, he was exposed to international cricket straight away. He has been given ample opportunities, but his performances have shown that he is still a work in progress.

Instead, India can turn to a more experienced option in Umesh Yadav. He was dropped after the Windies series last year, but he gained his rhythm in last year's IPL where he swung the new ball at pace.

However, it's his death bowling which is a concern. If Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah take care of the death overs, Umesh can be a handy option for India in the World Cup. But it remains to be seen whether he gets picked in the squad for the Australia series.

#2 Will Rishabh Pant get a go?

Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni finished the second T20I against New Zealand

Australian legend Ricky Ponting has already compared Rishabh Pant to the great Adam Gilchrist. However, like Gilchrist, Pant needs to convert his amazing talent into performances. That is not quite happening for him at the moment.

Pant set the world on fire with his performance in IPL 2018, but at the international level, his irresponsible and immature batting approach has received criticism. Consequently, he was dropped from the ODI squad that played in Australia and New Zealand.

Pant is fighting with Dinesh Karthik for the back-up keeper spot. As Karthik has done nothing wrong, Pant really has to perform in whatever opportunities he gets to seal his spot for the World Cup.

Karthik also has an edge over Pant as far as wicket-keeping is concerned, as Pant's glove-work is far from foolproof at this moment.

If Pant gets picked in the squad for the Australia series, his performances will be under intense scrutiny.

#3 What lies ahead for KL Rahul?

KL Rahul

KL Rahul held the position of the back-up opener before the series against Australia started in January. However, he lost his place in the squad after he was suspended owing to the "Koffee With Karan" controversy.

While Hardik Pandya was also suspended, he was called back for the New Zealand series. Rahul, however, was not; instead, he was asked to join the India A team to play England Lions.

Unfortunately for Rahul, his performance was unconvincing in that series.

There's no doubt that Rahul has tremendous potential, but his performances don't give the team management the confidence that they need. He has nothing to show on either side of the hundred at the Oval.

If he does not find a place in the squad for the Australia series, he might miss out on playing in this year's World Cup.

#4 Is India really excited about Vijay Shankar?

Vijay Shankar batted well in the T20I series against New Zealand

After India were reduced to 18-4 against New Zealand in Wellington, Vijay Shankar came out and showed good composure and technique. He stitched together a valuable partnership with Ambati Rayudu, which allowed India to come back into the game and eventually win it.

Perhaps the selectors were really impressed with his batting, as he was asked to bat at number 3 in the T20I matches that followed.

Shankar has been good with the bat, but he should not be a middle-order batsman. India has a settled middle-order and there is no point of over-experimentation just before the World Cup.

Shankar is an all-rounder, so he might be used as a back-up for Hardik Pandya. However, he did not bowl in the T20 series at all. This tells us that India is looking at him as a pure batsman.

But as a batsman, he might not find a place in the World Cup squad. A lot will depend upon how he goes about his business in the Australia series.