The 3 missing pieces that India need to find to win World Cup 2015

So, for the requirements of the team, Dhoni can afford to bat at no.5 and let those players audition for the number 4 spot. While Dhoni has a very good record coming in at no.6, my argument is that he can better his performances coming in earlier, also benefitting the team more with this move.

Statistics also back the claim.

Dhoni’s stats at positions 4,5 and 6:

Dhoni while India bats second:

The next aspect I am worried about is the absence of Pujara in India’s plans with only two years to go for the event that matters the most.

What are your expectations of an opener in Australian conditions against two new balls used by mostly world class attacks? The ability to negotiate the swing, handle bounce and have the scoring shots (drives, cuts, hooks, pulls and flicks) to make use of power play restrictions and if possible, a good cricketing sense and a sane mindset to not crumble at the first sight of pressure, is paramount for the opener.

What is your answer to all these? (At least mine is) – Cheteshwar Pujara. Where is he in the Indian set up?

Cheteshwar Pujara

With only two more years to go, he is being given a chance finally as a majority of the first team players in World Cup 2011 are either dropped or rested. But against a team like Zimbabwe, whatever amount of he scores may not even be enough to push the other contenders out.

While he usually bats at no.3/4 and has done pretty well in domestic limited overs cricket, I believe he could do better as an opener. Though Rohit has been doing okay off late, we cannot forget the fact that his strike rate is below par, and he has not converted those fifties to hundreds.

If you are going to eat up that many deliveries then better score big. Rohit as an opener is acceptable if we don’t have any other options. But we can afford better players. Why do we need to settle for a Mercedes Benz, when we can afford a Ferrari? Am I being too kind here on Rohit here by comparing him to Benz? I will let you decide.

Rohit in 2013:

Expecting Pujara to open, with Rohit and Dhawan having cemented their spot as openers, is a long shot.