Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir questioned Team India’s combination after the series defeat against Australia. India was looking to seal the series after winning the first two ODIs but lost the last three games to face their first home series defeat since October 2015 against South Africa. Gambhir feels even the addition of MS Dhoni won’t provide the needed balance to the team.
After the conclusion of the Delhi game, Indian captain Virat Kohli mentioned that team combination is more or less sorted going into the World Cup. He said, “The combination we’re going to play today, more or less, is similar to what we are probably going to play in the World Cup and find that balance in the team.”
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Kohli further acknowledged there will be one change with the arrival of Hardik Pandya, who will also provide depth to the batting line-up. “We are sorted combination wise. We know our playing XI going into the World Cup. There will be just one change based on condition. When Hardik Pandya will come back, he gives depth in batting and opens up options in bowling. We know where we are going. We are clear about our playing XI,” Kohli added.
However, Gambhir is afraid India is far away from getting a balanced playing XI. He also believes Dhoni’s return will not be enough to make this team more balanced and this is not India’s best playing XI.
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Talking to Times Now, Gambhir quoted “I can guarantee this that this isn’t India’s best playing XI. Virat Kohli had said that this is India’s most likely playing XI for World Cup. But this playing XI does not give you enough confidence. Even if you add MS Dhoni to this team, you won’t find that batting depth in this playing XI.”
India lost the Delhi ODI by 35 runs as the batsmen couldn’t chase the target of 273. Australia registered one of the most remarkable comebacks of recent history and won the series by 3-2. This was their first ODI series win since January 2017 and first in India since 2009.
