India will start as the firm favourites of the upcoming world cup when they start their world cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton. The men in blue played their first practise game against New Zealand where the team was exposed in batting and bowling department. Indian batters failed to fire and the middle order conundrum continue to be the headache for the team management. The form of spinners continued to be a concern but despite the failure, Ravindra Jadeja’s all round show was the only positive for the Indian team, who chipped in with a well made half century and picked one wicket.
In the second warm-up game against Bangladesh, India lost its frontline batters which brought the pressure on middle order batsman to fire. KL Rahul was again preferred at the number four and this time the Karnataka lad didn’t disappoint and played a match turning innings of 109 runs off just 99 balls. He formed a 164 runs partnership with MS Dhoni(113 off 78 balls) to take India to a dominant position. Their heroics ensured that India reach 359/7 after the end of 50 overs and it was KL Rahul’s brilliance that ended the debate for the number four slot for India.
Harbhajan Singh has some different opinion
The spinner from Punjab backed MS Dhoni to bat at number four for India despite some showing by KL Rahul. “I don’t want Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul might be a better no.4 as he’s got a variety of strokes under his belt. And the best thing about watching him bat is when he hits the ball and how his head stays still and focused on the ball. He played so many shots against Bangladesh but you won’t have seen his head wobble a single time,” Harbhajan said.
“But if you ask me who my favourite no.4, who would be? I will say its probably MS Dhoni. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been playing at number six-seven for team India as a finisher under a lot of pressure. Now he should be brought up the pecking order as he has the ability and the experience to come in and hit a six and attack any bowler,” he added.
India will start their world cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton.
