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.
The Indian team roared back in the next practise game against Bangladesh and the improved show by the middle order gave a big sigh of relief to the team management and the coach. KL Rahul and MS Dhoni struck hundred as spin twin of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal picked three wickets each to give a 95 run victory to the Virat Kohli led side.
VVS Laxman picks India’s playing 11 for game against South Africa
Former India batsman, VVS Laxman has now turned up with India’s playing 11 for the first game against South Africa and interestingly, he included three spinners in the team. Laxman picked Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to open the batting for India followed by captain Virat Kohli at number three. The top three batsmen have been key for India’s success in the past and the three heavyweights will be eager to score big when it matters the most.
KL Rahul solved the number four conundrum after he scored a magnificent ton in the warm-up game against Bangladesh and the Karnataka batsman takes the number four slot in Laxman’s team. MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya take the number five and six slot in his team.
The veteran of 134 test matches further opted for Ravindra Jadeja at number seven, who impressed in the warm-up game against New Zealand with his batting and said that he is the ideal replacement for injured Kedar Jadhav in the team. Jadeja will also be the third spinner in the team.
The 44-year-old picked Mohammed Shami over Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the team, who will lead the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will be the frontline spinners in his team.
Laxman’s playing XI
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
