WC team preview: India throw down the gauntlet in title defence

Times have remarkably changed since India won the coveted title for the second time in 2011 in front of their home fans, finishing off a rather fruitful association with former coach Gary Kirsten who had taken the team to the pinnacle of Test cricket earlier as well. Four years on and it is not quite the same.

Despite their woeful returns in Test cricket, India have fared better in ODIs. There were defeats to begin the last year in South Africa and New Zealand, and in the Asia Cup, but they have come back well. Beating Bangladesh in Bangladesh and winning two home series convincingly didn't turn many heads, but their series victory in England was a better indicator of their ODI reputation.

Only four members remain from the squad that lifted the trophy four years ago, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Ageing players have made way for fresher legs and they have shown with their performances that they belong. And if they maintain their form throughout the tournament, India will be difficult to dislodge from the defending champions' perch.

Group: Pool B

Captain: MS Dhoni

Strengths

Like most limited-overs sides, India's batting remains their pice de rsistance. A solid opening combination, followed by one of the best ODI batsmen in the game today, who makes way for a strong middle order before the finisher MS Dhoni walks out. Class oozes through India's batting order and opposition teams would be wary of them.

Weaknesses

Bowling. It was during the end of 2013 that India began narrowing down on who their fast bowlers were going to be in the World Cup, and despite playing a good number of games, they still haven't settled on their best combination. Mohammed Shami was ODI cricket's leading wicket-taker in 2014, but leaks runs at over six, and no bowler looks capable of running through lower orders in the death. That in turn puts pressure on the spinners and part-timers, who then have to do the holding job. It is eventually left to the batsmen to make up for their performances in huge run chases.

X-factor

The rookie from 2011 has become ODI cricket's household name. Virat Kohli hasn't put a foot wrong in limited-overs cricket, acing run chases with perfection and raking up hundreds like a walk in the park. Kohli's sizzling form in the preceding Test series in Australia will put him under the spotlight, but he has thrived under similar situations. His ability to manipulate fields and shepherding the batting from No 3 will determine India's batting fate in the competition.

Dark Horse

With an ODI debut at 20 in 2014, Axar Patel became one of many to have taken the IPL route to success, but in his limited time as an India player, he has shown the gall for a fight. His left-arm spin has been difficult to put away and his temperament with the bat has won him praises, to go along with his electric fielding. He may be in Ravindra Jadeja's mould, but Axar could well turn out to be the surprise package from India in the tournament, and in the process become the allrounder they have been yearning for.

ODI form guide (last six months)

v Bangladesh: Won 2-0 (Away)v England: Won 3-1 (Away)v West Indies: Won 2-1 (Home)v Sri Lanka: Won 5-0 (Home)

What they did in the 2011 World Cup

After their first-round exit in 2007, India were back in their home surroundings in the 2011 edition and didn't disappoint. They sailed through the group stages, took out Australia in the quarter-finals, beat Pakistan in the semis and held their nerve to chase down 274 against Sri Lanka in the final to lift the trophy for the second time to spark off jubilant scenes around the country.

Squad

MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Stuart Binny, Umesh Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane.

Fixtures

February 15 v Pakistan, AdelaideFebruary 22 v South Africa, MelbourneFebruary 28 v UAE, PerthMarch 6 v West Indies, PerthMarch 10 v Ireland, HamiltonMarch 14 v Zimbabwe, Auckland