With the ODI World Cup less than 18 months away, I think this is the right time to point out a few weaknesses in the team.
1. Dhoni: He's well past his prime. If you look at his last year or so, he has tried to mould himself into a gatherer, than an explosive finisher, which he was brilliant at. What is it with older cricketers refusing to leave when the time is right? I think the selectors need to start phasing him out and develop someone new. There are quite a few in the domestic circuit. Even DK won't be a bad option
2. Kedar Jadhav: Having been given such a long rope, Jadhav has not really proven to be the dependable and consistent No. 5. You can talk about his magic arm, but that alone will not win you matches. His fielding is shoddy. Need to look at someone new.
3. The No. 4 spot: We tried multiple players at this spot - Rahul, Rahane, Manish Pandey, without much success. My personal vote goes to Manish Pandey. His form may have deserted him recently, but he is capable of creating magic.
4. Too dependent on Bumrah and Bhuvi: Over reliance is always dangerous. I would start trying out new options that are available. Shami can be included, but definitely not Umesh Yadav - he leaks too many runs
If we sort these weaknesses out, India can become a super strong team and augment its current strengths:
a. Spinners - Chahal and Yadav are proving to be match winners. But I will keep Jadeja, and not Ashwin as the third option
b. Fielding - barring Jadhav and Bumrah, almost everyone is athletic
c. Match winning batsmen - Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan. Yes, I will still persist with Dhawan
d. The X factor: Hardik Pandya. Has the potential to become a great allrounder
These are my thoughts. Let's see how things pan out from now until June 2019.
1. Dhoni: He's well past his prime. If you look at his last year or so, he has tried to mould himself into a gatherer, than an explosive finisher, which he was brilliant at. What is it with older cricketers refusing to leave when the time is right? I think the selectors need to start phasing him out and develop someone new. There are quite a few in the domestic circuit. Even DK won't be a bad option
2. Kedar Jadhav: Having been given such a long rope, Jadhav has not really proven to be the dependable and consistent No. 5. You can talk about his magic arm, but that alone will not win you matches. His fielding is shoddy. Need to look at someone new.
3. The No. 4 spot: We tried multiple players at this spot - Rahul, Rahane, Manish Pandey, without much success. My personal vote goes to Manish Pandey. His form may have deserted him recently, but he is capable of creating magic.
4. Too dependent on Bumrah and Bhuvi: Over reliance is always dangerous. I would start trying out new options that are available. Shami can be included, but definitely not Umesh Yadav - he leaks too many runs
If we sort these weaknesses out, India can become a super strong team and augment its current strengths:
a. Spinners - Chahal and Yadav are proving to be match winners. But I will keep Jadeja, and not Ashwin as the third option
b. Fielding - barring Jadhav and Bumrah, almost everyone is athletic
c. Match winning batsmen - Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan. Yes, I will still persist with Dhawan
d. The X factor: Hardik Pandya. Has the potential to become a great allrounder
These are my thoughts. Let's see how things pan out from now until June 2019.
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