As the ODI World Cup looms, India's cricket team has been grappling with a muddled and confusing build-up. The team's preparation has been marked by a lack of clarity over the first-choice playing XI, with the crucial No. 4 spot and other positions in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. This uncertainty has been exacerbated by the team management's decision to rest stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during a three-match ODI series against the West Indies in July 2023.

The decision to rest Sharma and Kohli was part of an experimental strategy aimed at identifying potential World Cup players. However, this move sparked controversy and criticism, particularly when India lost the second ODI to the West Indies. Critics questioned the wisdom of resting two of the team's most experienced and successful players, especially given the proximity of the World Cup.

The criticism has not only been directed at the team management but also at head coach Rahul Dravid. Dravid has been under fire for India's unclear ODI World Cup preparations. His decision to conduct last-minute experiments during the series against the West Indies was seen as a sign that India was running out of time to finalize their World Cup squad.

Dravid's tenure as coach has been marked by a series of disappointing performances across all formats. India's loss in the World Test Championship final in June was followed by a less than convincing performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. These setbacks have led to questions about Dravid's suitability for the role, with some critics suggesting that he is not proactive enough.

Despite the criticism, it's important to note that the team has been trying to identify backup options and give opportunities to other players. Players like Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shardul Thakur were given chances to prove themselves in the absence of Sharma and Kohli. However, the results have been mixed, leading to more questions than answers.

India's build-up to the ODI World Cup has been fraught with confusion and uncertainty. As the World Cup approaches, the Indian cricket team will need to address these issues and find a winning formula that can deliver success on the biggest stage.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

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