World Cup 2015: Dhoni and the challenges Team India facing

New Delhi: In a nation where game of cricket makes a hero overnight and a villain before sun rises, Team India, understandably, will be under tremendous pressure when they start their campaign to defend the coveted World Cup Trophy in a few days time.But the way Team India has played first two ODIs in the ongoing Tri series and the manner in which it lost both, raises apprehensions if defending champion is well equipped to really make it in to last four and eventually lift the World Cup again?Bowling is the area which must be giving captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni sleepless nights after pacers' disappointing outings so far.Indian fast bowling“Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav have been unimpressive and never looked like threatening on wickets ideal for fast bowling. Even Bhuvneshwar Kumar who came out of injury, has not only lost his pace and swing but also line and length as well which is very surprising,” says Yashpal Sharma, a former middle order Indian batsman now a TV commentator.So what Dhoni is left with if his pacers fail him….?“Spin…..spin bowling has been our strength and we should play to our strength. Dhoni would be better off banking on spinners rather than on pacers because opponent batsmen won't have any problem facing fast bowling but they may struggle when it comes to spin bowling…..spinners are our trump cards,” adds Sharma.Chetan Sharma, another former Indian fast bowler, agrees and says, “If our fast bowlers fail to provide breakthrough in the first 15 overs than it will become very difficult for spinners to make an impact.” Spin options for DhoniIndia has two specialist spinners in R.Ashwin and Akshar Patel. While Ashwin brings with him experience, Akshar is still in the evolving stage. Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder who rolls his arms with a decent success and who enjoys faith and confidence of his skipper, is still nursing his shoulder injury.According to Yashpal Sharma it would be a big set back for Dhoni if Jadeja doesn't get fit in time as he would not only be providing extra teeth to the spin bowling attack but would also be handy with the bat which you can not expect from Akshar Patel.Even Chetan Sharma advocates the inclusion of Jadeja if he is fully fit. He is in favour of playing pacer Ishant Sharma because of his experience.Is Dhoni relying too much on Dhawan?Opener Shikhar Dhawan came on the scene with a bang replacing flamboyant Virendra Sehwag whose magic had started diminishing. But after some glimpses of match winning innings Dhawan today looks a shadow of his past.Dhawan, a miserable failure on England tour last year, managed to retain his place in the World Cup after some decent knocks against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home. However he again failed with the bat during recently concluded test series with Australia.His miseries seem to continue even in the on going Tri series with failure in the first two games.One wonders how long Dhoni can afford to persist with an opener who is supposed to give India a foundation on which middle order batsmen can post a formidable total. “He has the faith of his skipper who is hoping for his form's return before the World Cup as his knocks can change the complexion of the game and that's why he might be persisting with him in the remaining matches of tri series, says Yashpal.However Chetan Sharma holds entirely a different view on Shikhar Dhawan.“ He (Dhawan) has been given his chances and I think he should be made to sit out till India reaches quarter final. Rahane should open with Rohit Sharma.”Stuart Binny has impressed with the ball and bat and if Jadeja does not recover in time he may get a look as an-rounder. If he is played in the next game of Tri series and he clicks than Dhoni would be a relived man as far as choices of all-rounders are concerned.Both the former players are of the strong opinion that Dhoni must play Virat Kohli at number three position as he is more likely to give a start India wants if one of the openers fails.Going through the paper India does look a good strong batting line up that can throw challenges to the bowlers yet the challenge within is to unleash the talents that reflects on score sheet.