ICC World Cup 2019 | India’s Predicted XI for The Oval game against Australia

Openers

Rohit Sharma: The Indian vice-captain possibly played his best ODI innings ever - at least Virat Kohli thinks so - against South Africa on Wednesday and in the process, has set the template for the World Cup as well. India’s match against Australia will be played at The Oval - one the most high-scoring grounds in England since the 2015 World Cup - and Rohit will be licking his lips for it.

Shikhar Dhawan: The southpaw has a reputation of scoring heavily in the ICC events and no team invokes a greater sense of optimism for him than Australia. If he can get the balance right, then he may truly claim his throne back and boss the tournament like he did four years ago in Australia.

Middle-order

Virat Kohli: South Africa exploited Virat Kohli’s weakness by not leaving any leeway to him as they attacked the back of the length area regularly before asking the Indian skipper to poke a delivery outside the off-stump. However, The Oval has an affinity for the batsmen playing their shots on the off-side and Kohli may be excited for the same.

KL Rahul: On a tough pitch at Southampton, Rahul did well to hang in there for a bit before the bigger boundaries of Ageas Bowl resulted in his dismissal. But, as Rohit Sharma explained in the pre-match press conference, his 26 was as good as a 50 but Rahul will try to ensure that he goes on to cross the 50-run mark today. He is very much capable of it, as evidenced by the Bangladesh practice game, and now needs to believe in himself.

MS Dhoni: This is the most ideal position for MS Dhoni to bat, and in case quick scoring became absolutely necessary, India will want not to rush it. Dhoni brings in the sense of calmness and his understanding of English conditions will also help the spinners big-time. His batting down the order will mostly be dual type and with Hardik Pandya taking up the finisher’s role, Dhoni will get a chance to bat freely.

All-rounders

Kedar Jadhav: The all-rounder - well, there is no doubt about it anymore - has made himself a floater in the line-up and his assuredness has been one of the biggest positives for India since the Asia Cup. However, the Australia tour aside, the Maharashtra pocket dynamite hasn’t really been successful in bringing that sense of belongingness to the fore in the last few months and should try to get a good outing if he gets the chance to bat.

Hardik Pandya: The Baroda all-rounder was needed to face just seven balls against South Africa and was already looking the most comfortable batsman of all. That fearlessness, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason behind Pandya enjoying so much trust of the team management. His bowling was equally effective and Australians should be preparing hard to negate the Pandya threat.

Pacers

Mohammed Shami: Well, Bhuvneshwar Kumar did well in the last game but considering Australia’s struggle against short ball, which laid bare after the Windies game, India may include Mohammed Shami in the team for the Oval encounter. Shami’s wicket-taking ability in the middle-overs will also be a boon for the Indian team.

Jasprit Bumrah: Do I even need to write something or would you find the highlights reel for the last game and check it for yourself? Bumrah was just incredible with the new ball and sent a barrage of bouncers to South African top-order to ensure that they became unsettled from the word go.

Spinners

Yuzvendra Chahal: Despite being a leg-spinner of enormous ability, Chahal has often been a sideshow in the presence of his partner Kuldeep Yadav. However, with the left-arm spinner struggling to find his wicket-taking rhythm, Chahal will be the main spinner against Australia once again. 

Kuldeep Yadav: The spinner didn’t have an IPL to his liking but when he bowls with Yuzvendra Chahal bowling from the other end, he seems to have done much better. He bowled with panache in the last game but he reduced himself to a more holding bowler than his usual avatar. India need him to essay his major role and start picking wickets.

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