World Cup 2019: 4 areas where India should improve 

#3 Lack of reliability in bowling

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar's fitness holds the key

India is very fortunate to possess arguably four of the best bowlers currently in the international circuit - Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Combine that with the variety brought in by Khaleel Ahmed; there will be very few oppositions who would be able to dominate them even if three out of the five get their act right.

Backup options Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur have got very few opportunities in last two years and the addition of Mohammad Siraj only proves the fact that the selectors are not yet sure about their fourth bowler. Performance of Shami in the Sydney ODI might have inspired some confidence but it will require more of these from him to be surety in the side.

India went through the entire WC 2015 without a forced change. If they manage to do the same this around they might still get out of the jail, but Virat Kohli would not like to go to the main event with hopes and prayers.

Jasprit Bumrah has played consistently throughout the year and has got a well-deserved break. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a terrific 2017 but 2018 was below par by his standards. Due to constant injuries and the lack of match practice, he has struggled to find his rhythm over the last 10 months. It is very critical that he plays in as many of those 13 matches as possible as India requires him to be on top of his game.

Mohammed Shami is currently in the squad and will most probably feature in most of the matches unless India decides to play with two spinners. If he does not deliver, how does it leave the rest? Virat Kohli has to put his thinking cap on and might have to sacrifice on winning a few to serve the larger purpose and give as many opportunities as possible to the fourth bowler.