Captain Rohit has made it clear about the opening that only KL Rahul will open the innings with him in the World Cup. There is a possibility here that Virat Kohli will come with him to open the innings. The top four batsmen in the Indian batting order are fixed. India’s top-3 batsmen i.e. KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are batting in a similar fashion. One has to take an aggressive stand. Have to go for the attack from the first ball.
Bumrah returns after injury, how fit Harshal?
India may have batted well in the Asia Cup but they also made many changes during this period. India’s bowling weaknesses also came to the fore in this tournament. Although the attack has been strengthened on paper with the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, it remains to be seen how quickly these two pacers can find the momentum. Both are making a comeback from injury. In such a situation, it will also have to be seen whether they are completely in rhythm or not.
Who or both will play DK-Pant?
It is not yet decided whether Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik will be selected as the wicketkeeper in the playing XI. With Ravindra Jadeja injured, India may prefer Pant over Karthik as he is a left-handed batsman. Karthik has been roped in for the role of ‘finisher’. He barely got a chance to bat in the Asia Cup but the team management may give him an opportunity to spend some time at the crease in the next two weeks. Deepak Hooda played in all the Super-4 matches in the Asia Cup but there is no clarity on his role in the team.
Jadeja’s departure disturbed balance
The team’s bowling balance had deteriorated due to Jadeja getting injured during the Asia Cup. India were forced to play with five bowlers and did not have a sixth option in bowling. If India are fed Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, who has been replaced by Jadeja, then there will be an extra bowling option. With pace bowling from Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal and Hardik, two lethal spinners like Axar and Yuzvendra Chahal could be in the team.
India’s Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal
Australia’s Probable Playing XI: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Sams, Adam Zampa
Source: navbharattimes.indiatimes.com
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