Team India put up a spectacular show in the ongoing world cup after they topped the league table with 16 points in 9 games that included a washed off game against New Zealand. The men in blue will be up against a dejected New Zealand side who have faced three consecutive defeats in their last three league games. The Virat Kohli led side was determined to pip the black caps and avenge the defeat the they got in the warm up game but the game turned out to be a different story alltogether.
New Zealand scored 239/8 after 50 overs courtesy Ross Taylor’s brilliance of 74 off 90 balls. In the tricky chase, India lost its top three batsman under five and it was the job of an under-firing middle order to deliver. Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni put up a show by adding 116 runs for the seventh wicket but the dismissal of these two batsman in the conclusive overs meant that India fall short of the target by 18 runs to bow out of the world cup.
However, there have been some players who have not performed for team’s success or may not appear for the national team in the next world cup. Selectors will look to revamp the Indian side after the conclusion of the world which may give opportunities to budding youngsters and ouster some of the big names.
Here is how Indian team can shape up after the 2019 World Cup-
Opening combination
Rohit Sharma- KL Rahul: Shikhar Dhawan’s injury in the ongoing world cup proved to be a big setback for India as the Delhi lad has a habit of scoring big in ICC tournaments. However, KL Rahul joined Rohit as his opening partner and has not looked back since then. The two have given solid start to India, especially in the game against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka where they put up a 180 and 189 run stand for the first wicket.
Considering, Shikhar Dhawan is 33-year-old, he may not continue till the next world cup and selectors will be looking to make Rahul as the permanent opening partner alongside Rohit Sharma, after superb show in the ongoing world cup. Rahul is currently 27-year-old and holds a great future for the national team.
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