ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – INDIA

It’s Mid May and cricket fans are busy following the Indian Premier League (IPL) and they forgot that the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy is about to start in 3 weeks time. This is the period when the teams are fighting so hard for a place in the Play-Off. Once the IPL gets over on 26 May, 2013, it will be time for the Last Edition of ICC Champions Trophy which is schedule to take place in England. The tournament starts on 6 June, 2013 and goes on till June 23, 2013. Cricmatez.com brings you the overall preview of Indian Cricket Team and their chances in the last edition of ICC Champions Trophy.

India’s History in the ICC Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – INDIA

Squad

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Batsmen

• Shikhar Dhawan
• Murali Vijay
• Virat Kohli ( Vice Captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Suresh Raina

Wicket-Keepers

• Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.)
• Dinesh Karthick

All-Rounders

• Ravindra Jadeja
• Irfan Pathan

Bowlers

• Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
• R Ashwin
• Vinay Kumar
• Umesh Yadav
• Ishant Sharma
• Amit Mishra

Strengths

• Solid Middle-Order with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
• Presence of Good Finishers like MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina.
• Almost all the  players are in good form in the ongoing IPL.
• With many Youngsters in their ranks, Fielding looks strong.
• Presence of two Quality All-Rounders brings balance to the team.

Weakness

• With Gambhir and Sehwag dropped, Opening seems to be a problem for this Indian Team.
• In the past, Bowling at death overs has been a concern for MS Dhoni. It looks like the problem is yet to be solved.
• The form of Murali Vijay has been the talking Point since his inclusion in the side.
• Inexperienced Bowling Attack without Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.
• Most of the players are new to the conditions in England which may make them struggle in the initial phase of the tournament.
• Absence of Yuvraj Singh may hamper India’s chances.

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – INDIA

X-Factor

He has done it in the past for both India and Chennai Super Kings. He has stood up whenever the team is in crisis. Currently he is considered as the Best Finisher in World Cricket. MS Dhoni’s finishing abilities will come in handy whenever the team chases a huge total. Apart from his batting might, his Captaincy brings more value to the team. His ability to remain Calm under Pressure situations makes him stand out among other captains.

Watch Out For

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was impressive in the ODI series against Pakistan and England. He continued his good form into the IPL. His ability to swing the ball both ways will be handy in England. He is economical with the New Ball which prompts MS Dhoni to complete his Spell early in the Innings. With conditions suiting him, he will be the one to watch out for in the Champions Trophy.

Even before Rohit Sharma came into the limelight during the 2007 T20 World Cup, experts heaped praises on him by quoting him as a Talented Batsman and The Next Big Thing in Indian Cricket. Till now he has failed to live up to his reputation. He has been in terrific form for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL. In the last ODI series India played, he was asked to open the Innings and was successful at the top. He has some responsibilities in the absence of Yuvraj Singh. Adding to his batting skills, he is also a live wire on the field. The only Million Dollar question is “Can Rohit Sharma silence his critics during the ICC Champions Trophy 2013?”

Possible Playing XI

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni( c & w.k.), Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma/ Umesh Yadav.

Schedule

ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up Matches, 2013

Group Stages ( Group-B)