Former Indian southpaw opener Gautam Gambhir has opposed Virat Kohli’s World Cup playing XI statement. The India National Cricket Team skipper Virat Kohli had given a statement which said that yesterday’s playing XI is almost the final playing XI for the World Cup. However, Gambhir has contradicted that statement and believes even if we add the legendary MS Dhoni to India’s line-up, it won’t bring the batting depth in the squad.
Meanwhile, India was beaten by Australia in the five-match series by a margin of 3-2. The visitors were 0-2 down in the series but they made a sublime comeback to surprise the hosts. Australia won the decider of the series by 35 runs as they came up with a fine collective effort.
Why Shikhar Dhawan was given more chances? – Questions Gautam Gambhir.
“The combination we’re going to play today, more or less, is similar to what we are probably going to play in the World Cup and find that balance in the team,” Kohli said after losing the toss to Australia’s Aaron Finch. “Chahal misses out, Jadeja comes in as the all-rounder. KL Rahul misses out and Shami has been added as the extra bowling option, just to give us flexibility with the ball, and then we bat till eight as well with Bhuvi down the order.”
Here’s India’s playing XI for fifth ODI against Australia: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
Not close to the playing XI of the World Cup.
However, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels India has got some issues to address. The middle order still looks bleak. Gambhir said India should have given more chances to Ambati Rayudu.
The former left-hander went on to question Virat Kohli’s selection. Gambhir said why Shikhar Dhawan received 19 chances whereas Rayudu was dropped only after three flop shows.
“I feel squad has been more or less finalised because after the series we have IPL followed by World Cup. I don’t think there is any doubt regarding the squad. But I can guarantee this that this isn’t India’s best playing XI. Virat Kohli had said that this is India’s most likely playing XI for World Cup. But this playing XI does not give you enough confidence. Even if you add MS Dhoni to this team, you won’t find that batting depth in this playing XI,” Gambhir told on air.
Once again India’s middle order woes doesn’t have a solution. The number four conundrum continues for eternity and thus the middle order can be India’s kryptonite in the World Cup.