India's probable playing XI for World Cup after Australia series

India’s long season has finally come to an end. However, it hasn’t ended the way they would’ve wanted to as they lost 2-3 to Australia in a five-match ODI series at home. The visitors came back from 0-2 down to stun the Indians who lost their first ODI series at home since October 2015. However, it was an exhilarating contest as both the sides gave their best to overpower each other. The Indian cricketers will now rest for a week or so before joining their respective franchises to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They will be involved in a seven-week extravaganza before the all-important World Cup. Some players will be hoping to strike form in the 11-year-old league as India look to build towards the mega event. This loss shouldn’t concern India a lot as they have been in terrific form in the last three years. Since January 2016, their only losses in ODI bilateral series’ have come against England (July 2018) and the latest against Australia (March 2019). As Virat Kohli cleared in the post-match presentation in the fifth ODI, the Men in Blue were trying a few players and combinations. They seem to have narrowed in on their World Cup squad and according to the skipper, only one spot needs some discussion. Hence, with India completing their international season and their next international fixture will be at the World Cup against South Africa in Southampton on June 5, we have a look at the best possible playing XI of the team. Here’s India’s probable playing XI for the World Cup: Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) There’s absolutely no question about Rohit Sharma’s place in the side. The limited-overs vice-captain has been in phenomenal form in the last few years. In fact, in the period between the two World Cups (2015 and 2019), he has scored 3790 runs at an average of 61.12 which includes 15 hundreds. Rohit Sharma has been in patchy form this year as he averages a shade under 43. However, it seems like it’s just a quiet phase for him. He’s been the best opening batsman in the world (at least in terms of stats) over the last few years. He will definitely open the batting at the World Cup and will be crucial in the team’s progress as well. Shikhar Dhawan Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) There have been a few question marks over Shikhar Dhawan’s form in the last few games. There was a run where he scored just two half-centuries across 17 matches. However, he put all the doubts to bed when he scored a sublime 143 in the fourth ODI against Australia. Though consistency is an issue for him having failed in the decider in Delhi. But Dhawan has been a big match player for India. He has been India’s highest run-getter in the last three 50-over ICC tournaments. Moreover, the left-hander is a part of the formidable top three which has dominated most bowling attacks in the world. Also, the Delhi opener’s camaraderie with Rohit Sharma has been brilliant at the top of the order. They form one of the most lethal opening pairs. Thus, the duo will open the batting. Virat Kohli (Captain) Virat Kohli. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) The Indian skipper has looked a class apart in the last few years. He has smashed batting records with ease and continues to do so. In the last 15 months, Virat Kohli has been unstoppable in the ODI format. He has scored 1813 runs at an average of 90.65. He has notched up nine ODI hundreds and hit four fifties as well. Kohli is certainly the best batsman in white-ball cricket at the moment. He will lead the side as well. His captaincy has been under the scanner a touch and has been a tad inconsistent. However, he has produced the results over the last few years and will take confidence from that. The 30-year-old also has MS Dhoni up his sleeve to get some insights during the crunch situations. Vijay Shankar Vijay Shankar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) The No. 4 spot has been a big problem for India since the last World Cup. As many as 12 players have been tried and Vijay Shankar might turn out to be the surprise winner thanks to the inconsistent Ambati Rayudu. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder’s name might raise a few eyebrows but Shankar has done really well in the chances he’s got. He has shown the ability to float around the batting order, is a very good fielder and can bowl 5-6 quiet overs if needed. He comes across as a complete package. Shankar may not have batted at 4 at any point but the temperament he showed in a few innings was excellent. Hence, he could well be the solution, albeit temporary, to India’s No. 4 mystery at the World Cup. MS Dhoni (Wicket-Keeper) MS Dhoni. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Mahendra Singh Dhoni will don the gloves for one final time in this World Cup. The former Indian skipper is tipped to hang up his boots after this mega event in England. After a shoddy 2018, Dhoni has turned things around this year. He was the player of the series back in Australia in the three-match ODI series. He now has the best average (81.75) by an Indian batsman in ODI cricket this year. The Ranchi lad has shown that he still can get the job done. Hence, Dhoni will be critical for India at the World Cup. Not only his batting and keeping, but his insights from behind the stumps and decisions on DRS also makes him a key player. Kedar Jadhav Kedar Jadhav. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Kedar Jadhav has been in and out of the Indian team quite a bit and it’s mostly due to injuries. He has broken down quite a few times in the last couple of years. However, he seems fit and fine for the moment and has done well in the recent past. Jadhav is a pretty underrated player but he packs a punch. He can hit the ball a long way and has the ability to turn the game around, with both bat and ball. His exploits with the bat have been very good this year. However, it’s the bowling that has come along really well. He’s chipped in with some very useful overs and has proved to be India’s golden arm. Jadhav has this excellent knack of picking wickets. Hence, he will be India’s No. 6, playing the role of a finisher and the sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya Hardik Pandya. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) In the last six months, Hardik Pandya has spent more time out of the Indian side than any other player. He injured himself in the Asia Cup before a controversy barred him from playing the ODIs in Australia. He was back in New Zealand before another back problem ruled him out of the Australia series at home. Hence, Pandya has played just 13 games since the start of 2018 and just three this year. However, the Baroda all-rounder lends impeccable balance to the side. He can fill in 8-10 overs as the fifth bowler. Moreover, he is a fierce striker of the ball and can turn the game around. Thus, Pandya is likely to be India’s fifth bowler and will play the role of a floater with the bat, depending on the game situation. Bhuvneshwar Kumar Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images) Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of India’s most consistent white-ball pacers in the last few years. His pace has gone up by a yard or two and he has improved overall as a bowler. He can bowl with the new ball, can be effective in the middle and has been really good with his variations at the death. Moreover, he is India’s joint third-highest wicket-taker (72 wickets) since the last World Cup. However, with Mohammed Shami doing well this year, it might be a toss up between the two. But the Meerut pacer is most likely to get the nod as he forms a potent pair alongside Jasprit Bumrah due to his ability to hang around with the bat at number eight. Kuldeep Yadav Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) Kuldeep Yadav’s introduction in ODI cricket has been one of the big changes India have made in the last two years. The chinaman has stepped up and delivered on almost every occasion. He has added a different dimension to this bowling attack. Kuldeep is India’s leading wicket-taker (87 scalps) since the 2015 World Cup. Invariably, along with Yuzvendra Chahal, he provides crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. Teams have found it difficult to figure him out and have succumbed as well. Hence, Kuldeep is India’s trump card at the World Cup and India will bank on the chinaman to continue his good form and his role will be to pick wickets in the middle overs. Yuzvendra Chahal Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) As mentioned, Yuzvendra Chahal has been lethal alongside Kuldeep Yadav. The duo have been a major threat to teams around the world. They have spun oppositions into submissions on multiple occasions. Chahal’s record has been brilliant as well. He’s taken 72 wickets in 41 matches and has been India’s lead spinner over the last couple of years. The thing that makes Chahal (and Kuldeep) stand out is that there’s no fear. He will continue to toss the ball up despite getting hit. Hence, he’s been so successful and has been able to dismiss a lot of batsmen. Though Chahal feels pressure after going for runs and someone like MS Dhoni has to be in his ears constantly to calm him. Jasprit Bumrah Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Jasprit Bumrah is arguably the best bowler in the world at the moment. He has been simply brilliant across formats in the last 15 months or so. In ODI cricket in particular, he is India’s leader of the attack. The way Bumrah has evolved and matured in the last couple of years has been remarkable. He has accounted for 85 wickets in 49 games at an average of 21.15. The 25-year-old is perhaps the best death bowler possessing the ability to bowl the yorkers at will. Time and again, he has been the difference between the two sides. Jasprit Bumrah is a match-winner and he will be absolutely vital in India’s quest to win the World Cup this time around. Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the World Cup, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.

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India's probable playing XI for World Cup after Australia series

This looks the best playing XI after the conclusion of the Australia series.

Shikhar Dhawan

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