A fully-primed India squad is ready to defend their title and not many teams can match their skills and confidence.

By Amir Husain (28th May, 2017)

First the facts. India are in third position in ICC’s ODI rankings and boast 4 batsmen in the top 20 list of current ODI batsmen and 3 bowlers amongst a similar cohort in ICC’s ODI ranking for bowlers. Their recent ODI form has been excellent where they have won the last 3 series against Zimbabwe, New Zealand and England.

Whilst the naysayers will point out that these triumphs have come against weaker teams or at home where the dreaded home-advantage comes in to the equation, there won’t be many who can deny that a team full of match-winners is not likely to make a strong bid for their second successive title in the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy.

At the heart of the Indian run machine at the Champions Trophy is their charismatic and ebullient captain, Virat Kohli. If his latest statements are to be believed, this is a man on a mission but he is not alone in that ambition. The likes of MS Dhoni with 9275 ODI runs to his name and Yuvraj Singh with 8539 runs as well as 111 wickets will be as Kohli recently put it, ‘the pillars’ of his team. 

The Indian batting, however, can also depend on Ajinkya Rahane , Rohit Sharma and Shihkar Dhawan who can take the attack to any bowling attack in the world. The attacking brand of cricket which has seen Indian batting hit those 300+ scores with ease will serve notice to all other teams but the real sting in this Indian line-up is in its ability to restrict the opposition batsmen.

English conditions may be alien for sub-continental bowlers but make no mistake, this Indian bowling line-up comes with a healthy degree of expertise which should send alarm bells ringing in many dressing rooms already.

In Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami and the fast-improving Jasprit Bumrah, India possess bowlers who can pick wickets at will with their superb control and ability to swing the ball. And if spin is to be a deciding factor in some of the games, then India will have a distinct advantage with one of the top exponents of the art of spin-bowling in the shape of Ravi Ashwin. With 145 ODI wickets to his name, Ashwin is no slouch with the bat as well which could be a huge plus in tight games or when the score needs a push towards the end of the innings. 

But in terms of true all-rounders, India are also blessed with the talent of Ravindra Jadeja whose middle order contributions have proved decisive in the past. His batting ability coupled with the uncanny ability to break partnerships with his spin bowling which has yielded him 151 ODI wickets, India seem to have a complete package at their disposal.

The strength of any ODI side apart from the usual batting and bowling combinations is their ability to apply pressure on their opponents with their fielding. In this respect, India have a playing XI which would be the envy of many. With more energy derived from the support expected from their unwavering fans in England, some spectacular catches and saved runs will be the order of the day when this side takes the field.

The recently concluded IPL season in India has shown the Indian players, barring a few, to be in good shape but to many experts the strenuous IPL games may actually harm India’s chances at the Champions Trophy. On the other hand, a fully primed set of Indian players at the top of their game will be a huge challenge for any opponent and to many, an Indian victory in the final at The Oval is a foregone conclusion.

Strengths 

Virat Kohli is the man India will look to provide that spark but the general confidence that current India side exudes will carry them all the way through this tournament.

Weaknesses

English conditions could hamper their run scoring habits.

Verdict 

Tournament winners.

India squad

Virat Kohli (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh and Umesh Yadav

Discuss!