Looking at recent performance of team India many questions arises for them regarding their plans and preparations for World Cup:
Fast and Bouncy Tracks of Australia and New Zeland:
This time it’s not subcontinent’s batting paradise for them, this time Men in Blue have to face thunder down and under to clinch the crown of World Champions for the third time and that to without the most successful opening pair of Sachin and Sehwag.
Indian batsman have always been dribbling at the crease against the Australian and English seamers in ongoing Carlton ODI Series. Indian top order with the likes of Kohli, Raina, Dhawan, Dhoni have been total failure. With Virat Kohli just averaging at 8 and not even a single innings score of double digit and score of 19, 34, 17 in three innings of MS Dhoni is below par score comparing to his standards..
These stats raises the question about current form of Indian top order batting and their chances to become World Champions for second successive time.
Wrong Shot Selection:
Dhoni and lads have made it a habit of throwing away their precious wickets just at the crunch moments of the game. Despite of getting a good start by Dhawan and Rahane which was a rare phenomenon, India were 103/1 from 28 overs on a difficult batting track but the middle order didn’t capitalized the good start and whole team got out at 200. Thanks to the short cameo from Mohammed Shami (23 off 15 balls).
On 28th over Virat Kohli decided to charge down the track and loft one straight into the hands of Joe Root at long off. It was a decision that even Dhoni was unimpressed with; "Good bowling (from England) and poor selection of shots led to a low score," he said in the post-match interview.
This was not the first time when this type of silly mistake was committed by them. In the last fixture against England Ambati Raydu and Virat Kohli were dismissed trying to guide the ball to third man.
Cricket’s mega event is just next to door and World Champions have to take a look at their batting style and shot selection.
Captain Cool’ Form:
Well renowned with the name of Captain Cool, MS Dhoni is one of the best finishers in this format. Dhoni used his calmness earlier also to help his team reach the target.
But looking at his current form that too just before World Cup is a big issue for the team. He is one of the finest captain at present times, but currently his captaincy decisions are also not going right way.
Despite of grabbing 3 wickets at yesterday’s match in 8 overs, Dhoni didn’t utilized Stuart Binny’s remaining 2 overs which puts a serious question on his captaincy decisions. Dhoni might not be getting his captaincy right but being the most experienced batsman in India's World Cup squad — he should at least perform with the bat.
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