IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 problems Virat Kohli must fix – The IPL 2021 is over and Team India are back together with MS Dhoni mentoring the team and Virat Kohli back as T20I captain for one last tournament. As they take on Eoin Morgan’s England to get the combinations right, Kohli will have a few things to chalk out including Hardik Pandya conundrum before the big India vs Pakistan clash. Follow T20 World Cup live updates on InsideSport.in.

The IND vs PAK clash will not only be a high-octane clash and a bitter rivalry, but it will also set the tone for the T20 World Cup. But firstly, India must get the combinations right, especially with UAE pitches throwing up challenges for all. Most importantly, Virat Kohli must solve the Hardik Pandya conundrum and get the spin combination right.

InsideSport takes a look at the 5 puzzles that Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni must solve on Monday when they face England.

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan

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Hardik Pandya: One-dimensional, out of form, injured — Hardik Pandya is a mystery for the fans. But the warm-up against England will show some light on the flamboyant all-rounder who has lost his way and has struggled with his fitness and form for both India and Mumbai Indians. Batsman Hardik Pandya might find it difficult to find a place in India’s Playing XI but Virat Kohli has some plans for him. But he also potentially weakens India’s combination with his poor batting form and his absence of bowling. Kohli must find an answer for him or Shardul Thakur is the one to go for.

• If Hardik Pandya doesn’t bowl, India will have to be satisfied with two pacers or two spinners as the top five are pure batsmen and don’t bowl.
• If India go with three spinners and Hardik, India will have just two pace options and will have to drop the third pacer.
• Overall, one-dimensional Hardik’s inclusion will create an imbalance in the side.

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan

Rohit Sharma/ Virat Kohli to open? The England series threw up a chance for Virat Kohli to open for India with Rohit Sharma, keeping KL Rahul in the middle order. While both have had a fair amount of success as the openers in the T20s, neither has shown a great run of form in the IPL 2021. Even though Kohli slammed two consecutive half-centuries, Rohit drew a blank, scoring 131 runs in six innings. Kohli scored 207 in 8 innings. The warm-up matches against England and Australia will be important to get their forms back before the big clash.

• Rohit-Virat opening pair was super hit but the vice-captain has looked more comfortable opening with KL Rahul with whom he shared great partnerships in England in Tests.
• Rohit Sharma’s form in T20Is also of concern as he hasn’t had a great run in the IPL 2021 Phase 2.
• Virat Kohli even though smashed two half-centuries, he faded away in the last three games.
• KL Rahul as an opener was in smashing form in IPL 2021, finishing as the second top scorer in IPL.

Also Read: T20 World Cup: Suresh Raina literally pleads with Indian team, ‘Win World Cup for Virat Kohli’

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan

Where does Shardul Thakur fit? – Shardul Thakur has been consistent performer with the ball in the IPL. With 21 wickets in 16 matches, he was one of the best bowlers of IPL 2021. But the limited opportunity with the bat in T20s hasn’t been in his favour. He still is considered as a seam bowler and not an all-rounder like he is in Tests. Then, where does he fit? Should India drop Hardik Pandya and take Shardul or trust the latter to offer some batting at No 7? Playing both Shardul and Hardik could weaken the spin department.

Spin combination: Varun Chakravarthy is likely to be India’s biggest weapon in the UAE. But his knee injury is something that is troubling Team India and it remains to be seen if he is fully fit to play the entire tournament. While Ravindra Jadeja is certain in India’s playing XI, picking two additional spinners in Chahar and Chakravarthy will mean India will have one less bowling option if Hardik Pandya is to be included.

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan

• Furthermore, the third spinner’s role is a toss-up between Rahul Chahar’s leg-breaks and R Ashwin’s off-breaks.
• During the captain’s meet, skipper Virat Kohli praised Chahar junior for extracting good pace off the slow UAE wickets, which has enabled him to keep the more seasoned Yuzvendra Chahal out of the team.
• To have three spinners, India will have to leave out one pacer, weakening pace attack.

• If Hardik doesn’t bowl, it will weaken India’s pace attack.
• Playing three spinners will mean India can only afford two pacers.
• Bringing in third pacer will see batting weakened with Hardik Pandya going out.

India’s potential Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav/Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya/ Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar/Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

IND vs ENG Warm-up Live: 5 things Virat Kohli’s team would like to fix before mega clash with Pakistan