World Cup 2019: 5 things that India should try in their warm-up matches

The World Cup is just a few days away, and with every passing day, the intensity is increasing the fans are finding it hard to wait for the start of the mega-event. Every team is gearing up to lock horns in order to make a claim on the prestigious and coveted World Cup trophy. Each of the 10 teams has certain match-winners, who can turn the game around single-handedly. The format of every team playing a few warm-up games before going into the tournament is quite helpful. It helps the team to figure out their best playing XI and rectify the shortcoming in the squad. Besides, it helps the teams to have some match practice, so that they come out with full intensity in the league games. India would be playing two warmup games, against New Zealand and Bangladesh. They would be looking to make the most of this opportunity to test their players in English conditions and answer a few questions. They would be eager to make a few experiments and see if they can use them in the league games. On this note, let us take a look at 5 things, that India should try in the warm-up games: 1. Playing KL Rahul as No.4 KL Rahul. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images) The no.4 puzzle is the biggest conundrum that India face going into the mega-event. There isn’t any solution in sight, as none of the contenders have done anything extraordinary to cement their position at that spot. KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, and Vijay Shankar are the claimants, of whom KL Rahul enjoys an edge over others. With 593 runs to his name, Rahul was the 2nd highest run-getter in the recently concluded IPL. On the other hand, Karthik and Shankar had a forgetful season with the bat. Dilip Vengsarkar has also backed him by saying that he has the technique to complement the top three well. Therefore, it might not be a bad call to test KL Rahul at no.4 in the warm-up matches. He hasn’t been able to carry forward his IPL form in the international arena, and therefore it would be interesting to see if he can do it this time around. 2. Using Vijay Shankar as a finisher Indian team. (Photo Source: Twitter) Vijay Shakar has been ordinary at his best for a while now. He has been selected as a no.4 but seeing his current form, India might be forced to rethink over this decision. A tactic which can help him to regain his touch is to play him as a finisher. Although Vijay has played only two games at no.7, his performance there has been quite amazing. He is someone who loves to attack from the first ball. Playing at no.4 snatches this option from him, which has ultimately led to a decline in his form. Giving him a license to play aggressive cricket might help him. This will also add some firepower in the lower order, a much-needed factor on the flat pitches in England. 3. Resting Bumrah and playing Bhuvneshwar and Shami Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Virat Kohli enjoys the services of three excellent pacers. Jasprit Bumrah, who is the no.1 ODI bowler at the moment, is one of them. However, he has just gone through a hectic IPL journey and should be given a much-deserved rest. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami should instead be played in both the warmup games. It is very clear that India can’t field three pacers and one of these two have to be dropped. Therefore, playing both will help Virat Kohli to decide who is in better form. Shami has had a pretty good IPL campaign, while the case of Bhuvneshwar was just the opposite. But 50-over format is completely a different thing. 4. Giving Kedar and Hardik 10 overs each Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya are the two main all-rounders whom India would go with. While both of them are high-profile batsmen, their ability to give 10 overs is a debatable topic. Nothing can’t be better than a warm-up match to resolve this issue. India should give the quota of 10 overs to both of them in at least one of the matches. Hardik had scalped 14 wickets in the IPL 2019, but his economy was a matter of concern. If he manages to improve that, it would do a great helping hand to the men-in-blue. Kedar Jadhav’s ability to keep the ball low with his low-arm action makes him special. If he manages to bowl well, India might succeed in containing runs during the middle order. 5. Playing Dinesh Karthik in place of MS Dhoni Dinesh Karthik celebrates with MS Dhoni. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images) Mahendra Singh Dhoni has just endured a hectic IPL campaign. He had some issues with his back, a problem which India won’t want to trouble him at all. He is a vital cog in India’s wheel, and his fitness is an absolute must. Therefore, India should consider playing Dinesh Karthik in his place. This move will also give him a chance to prove his mettle. Karthik did not have a very good season with the bat and it is essential to give him some match-practice to regain his touch. KL Rahul at no.4 and Karthik at no.5 will help India figure out the better option out of these two and help them in solving their no.4 conundrum.

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World Cup 2019: 5 things that India should try in their warm-up matches

India would be playing two warmup games, against New Zealand and Bangladesh.

2. Using Vijay Shankar as a finisher

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