Is India ready to defend its Champions Trophy title?

[SandyB]

India's ODI team isn't as good as it has been in the recent past.

Similar things were said before CT2013.. We weren't expected to compete in swinging English conditions.. But the fact is Dhawan & Tal.Sharma clicked big, our seamers clicked and the pitches were more spin favouring than usual. We won !

We were expected to get thrashed in CWC2015.. But we competed really well. Went down to Australia (was a certianinty in those conditions ) . We gave an absolute walloping to SA too ..

So I'd rather not hype up our team and watch us get to our tournament form as usual.. Will be happy if we make the finals..

 

[Gone]

My Team would be:
1. KL Rahul
2. Rohit
3. Virat (c)
4. M Pandey (Worth giving a go has done in the little chance he got). I feel bad for leaving UV out because although he is in great form, i think considering the future (i dont seem him playing the next WC) and also the fact is english conditions he might not click. I would have UV and Pant as backup in the squad for Pandey maybe play Pant in a few games too to give him exposure maybe judge him as well.
5. MS Dhoni (wk)
6. K Jhadav (would be interesting to see how he does in English Conditions, but defo worth ago since he claimed his spot last series, and prove to be a decent finisher)
7. Pandya (Not the most convincing with the bat, but at No 7 his occasional aggressive batting with be useful, I think he can bat more sensible if situation requires too)
8. Jaddu
9. BK
10. Shami
11. Bumrah

BK and Pandya in English conditions will be useful. Shami is our go to bowler. Bumrah i think in the death is really useful for india, if conditions support or we feel we need to bring ash in, id drop bumrah to play ash.

THe batting lineup is long with BK at 9 and the top order is solid. If ash isnt playing we still have Jhadav who can chip in with some overs if needed and maybe even rohit. Dhoni at 5 gives us a lot of flexibility.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

I would open with Dhawan and not Rahul. Dhawan has earned it with his record in ICC tournament thus far and in big tournaments you have to back your match winners. Rahul hasn't played nearly enough ODI's to come good at the big stage, its just too risky.

Rohit
Dhawan/Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Jhadav/Pandey
Hardik
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bhuvy/Yadav
Shami/Bumrah

Tbh this side looks good on paper but just doesn't seem like it can match up to Australia, SA. 2 of the top ODI sides atm.

But then in 2013 also we didn't go in as favourites. IPL will give a better indication of our chances.

 

[Uzair Tariq]

The finalists of CT 2017 will be the two of India, England and Australia.

 

[Drreddymd]

I am not optimistic of indias chances this time as there are too many players out of form and too many over the hill players like dhoni, yuvi, unsettled opening pair etc

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

We are ready...this is the best we have got...still few chinks but every team has that...

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Jadhav
Pandya
Jadeja
Bhuvi
Shami
Bumrah

Reserves
Pandey
Rahane
Ashwin
Yadav

What is jadeja doing there? He can't even bat properly on indian pitches what will he do in england? Also he will be toothless as a bowler in england.

 

[Pollack]

Jadeja was excellent in champions trophy in England.

 

[Saurav]

What is jadeja doing there? He can't even bat properly on indian pitches what will he do in england? Also he will be toothless as a bowler in england.

Last CT was in England.He averaged 12 as a bowler and played two important knocks with the bat

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Last CT was in England.He averaged 12 as a bowler and played two important knocks with the bat

Let's include dhawan in the team as well then.

 

[Bilal7]

I can just see Dhoni and Yuvraj letting the team down at a crucial stage in the CT. Or the bowlers doing the same.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Shami should be fit by the champions trophy so they'll have a decent attack. In batting I think there to reliant on Kohli, personally I'll be surprised if India wins the tournament.

I agree. Kohli and the pacers have to fire in almost all matches for India to defend their title.

Btw I can't see any excuses for England not winning it.

England literally have all bases covered.

Dynamic openers (Roy, Hales) - check
Solid middle order (Morgan, Bairstow) with a world-class player (Root) and a finisher (Buttler) - check
Big hitting batting AR (Stokes) - check
Classic Batting AR (Moeen)
Excellent seam bowling AR (Woakes) - check
140+ KPH Pacer (Wood, Plunkett) - check
Swing bowler (Willey) - check
Decent spinner (Adil Rashid) - check

These are marvellous times to be an ENG fan

 

[Hasan123]

I agree. Kohli and the pacers have to fire in almost all matches for India to defend their title.

Btw I can't see any excuses for England not winning it.

England literally have all bases covered.

Dynamic openers (Roy, Hales) - check
Solid middle order (Morgan, Bairstow) with a world-class player (Root) and a finisher (Buttler) - check
Big hitting batting AR (Stokes) - check
Classic Batting AR (Moeen)
Excellent seam bowling AR (Woakes) - check
140+ KPH Pacer (Wood, Plunkett) - check
Swing bowler (Willey) - check
Decent spinner (Adil Rashid) - check

These are marvellous times to be an ENG fan

The main thing for England is handling the pressure of being the favourites, the hosts,and also dealing with knockout games which they have struggled with other than 2010 world t20. There bowling is a bit of a worry as well.

It's Australia or England'stournament to lose.

 

[Pollack]

No good indications

 

[fazleefridi]

India better go with this team

Shikhar
Rohit
Kohli
Yuvi/ Pandey
Dhoni
Jadhav
Pandya
Jadeja
Bhubneshwar
Shami
Bumrah

 

[arehaan]

I can't see India having much of a chance this time around with the strength of England team. Moreover they have been playing at home for last 1 year in totally different conditions so will be very tough

 

[GrandMaster]

Not yet. There are quite a few contenders who are better than India in England- Australia, NZ, SA and England.

 

[Executioner]

India doesn't have a strong core as they did last time.

Their success last time was on the shoulder of their openers Dhawan and Rohit. Dhoni was in decent form.

Perhaps it's important to see how the likes of Shami and bhuvi do

The kind of pitches that England have layed out recently are flat so jadeja and Ashwin will be lambs for slaughter.

 

[volcyz]

It's beneficial fo teams to not dismiss Dhoni till the end cos they no he wont try to hit until the game is nearly done.
He will charge down the track and nudge all day to help him pad up his average.

 

[Zak_Fan]

India doesn't have a strong core as they did last time.

Their success last time was on the shoulder of their openers Dhawan and Rohit. Dhoni was in decent form.

Perhaps it's important to see how the likes of Shami and bhuvi do

The kind of pitches that England have layed out recently are flat so jadeja and Ashwin will be lambs for slaughter.

Far from it. Both usually play on far flatter surfaces than we will see in England and yet their ER is below 5, which is extremely good. Infact, when it comes to bowling on flatter tracks, Jadeja is one of the best in the world.

 

[Ankit007]

I hope these losses are blessing in disguise like everyone before a successful ICC tournament we lose.... I think much will depend on selectors.

The biggest concern is the opening. Rahul should not open. Rohit, dhawan or rahane must get a go. Depending upon their form in IPL... Or any new face who performs great

 

[Drreddymd]

It's beneficial fo teams to not dismiss Dhoni till the end cos they no he wont try to hit until the game is nearly done.
He will charge down the track and nudge all day to help him pad up his average.

Playing dhoni is already a big boost to opposition. This man couldn't finish a game against zim for god sake and people are expecting miracles from a washed out player

 

[Pantani]

India have a quality team, but so do England and they're the hosts. I would make India third favourite, behind Australia in second and England in first.

 

[Pollack]

Top favourites along with bottom meaningless:

1.Australia
2.India
3.England
4.New Zealand
5.Bangladesh
6.Srilanka
7.Pakistan
8. South Africa

 

[Executioner]

Far from it. Both usually play on far flatter surfaces than we will see in England and yet their ER is below 5, which is extremely good. Infact, when it comes to bowling on flatter tracks, Jadeja is one of the best in the world.

But English wickets aren't too helpful compared to SC wickets. And these days they are flatter.

Key is India's pace attack. Should go with 4 pacers Hardik inclusive

 

[Executioner]

I think Australia are favorites followed by England.

Not going to put my money on South Africa like ever.

 

[Ankit007]

Top favourites along with bottom meaningless:

1.Australia
2.India
3.England
4.West Indies
5.Bangladesh
6.Srilanka
7.Pakistan
8. South Africa

South Africa can't be below Bangladesh and Pakistan....

 

[Pollack]

South Africa can't be below Bangladesh and Pakistan....

ICC tournament bro

I know they have one ct but still...