After winning 10 straight games during the World Cup, India has made a remarkable run and is now headed to Ahmedabad for this Sunday’s highly anticipated World Cup final versus Australia. Despite India’s impressive performance, there are certain noteworthy issues that need to be addressed. Let’s examine the five crucial areas that the Anandabazar website identified as needing to be addressed by Rohit Sharma’s side prior to the last match.
Contents
- 1 1) The bowling woes of Mohammed Siraj: A thorn in India’s side
- 2 2) Unproven Lower Middle Order: Possible Drawback
- 3 3) Handling Difficulties: Converting Missed Chances into Possibilities
- 4 4) The Sixth Bowler’s Dilemma: Strategic Bowling Choices
- 5 5) Weariness Approaches: The Cost of Constant Play and Travel
1) The bowling woes of Mohammed Siraj: A thorn in India’s side
Mohammed Siraj is a well-known bowler, but his recent performances have drawn criticism, especially because he has given up significant runs at critical junctures. His economy rate went above six runs per over in four World Cup matches, with two of those matches seeing spikes to over eight runs. Siraj’s bowling weaknesses were highlighted in the most recent game against New Zealand at Wankhede, necessitating a strategic reassessment.
2) Unproven Lower Middle Order: Possible Drawback
India’s top five batsmen have taken the lead in runs scored in each of the country’s ten wins. Players with a track record of consistency include Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. A possible weakness, though, is the lower middle class’s lack of experience, which includes players like Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav. India has to know that the lower order can take the pressure in the final in case the top order falters.
3) Handling Difficulties: Converting Missed Chances into Possibilities
Against New Zealand in the semi-final, India’s fielding showed shortcomings in catching, fielding, and giving up overthrows. Even though India won with a huge run total, closer games require excellent fielding. Taking advantage of every “half chance” is crucial in high-stakes finals since a misplayed pass or an overthrow could be disastrous.
4) The Sixth Bowler’s Dilemma: Strategic Bowling Choices
Thinking back to the New Zealand game, it was clear that there was no sixth bowling option available when Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson presented problems. The squad had few options without Hardik Pandya because none of the five bowlers had any effect. When facing a strong opponent, teams are reluctant to risk players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or Shubman Gill, which emphasises the importance of having a sixth bowler who can bowl strategically, particularly in high-stakes situations.
5) Weariness Approaches: The Cost of Constant Play and Travel
India’s taxing schedule—playing 11 straight games over the course of 1.5 months—has taken a toll. After nine games spread over several cities and hundreds of kilometres, exhaustion could play a big part in the outcome. Even in games that appear to be unimportant, the starting lineup that has remained the same for the past five games raises questions about player fatigue. Managing tiredness becomes essential as the finish draws near in order to guarantee optimal performance at critical times.
The way that Rohit Sharma leads and the team as a whole handle these issues will decide India’s fate against Australia in the World Cup Finals. India’s chances of winning the prized trophy can be increased with strategic preparation, flexibility, and a focus on fixing these shortcomings.
