5 series left for India to sort out their one-day squad

The grandest stage of cricket is ready to be set alight next year when England will host the next edition of the Cricket World Cup. India, meanwhile, are deemed to be frontrunners in the format that they have dominated almost flawlessly until this month. If there were any chinks in their armour, they were all exposed against the series against the world number one England side. Time is limited and India have only a few series to turn their headaches back into happy ones.

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are certainties at 1,2 and 3 spots in the batting order. The issue is to find a set combination at numbers 4,5,6 and 7. India have tried as many as 10 players at the number four position since the last World Cup, and none of them have managed to generate the sort of performance that might help them cement a spot in the eleven.

What's worse though, is that apart from Yuvraj Singh and Ajinkya Rahane, no one has been given a run longer than 5 games. This isn't very helpful for those trying to break in to the team, as it creates a sense of insecurity. In whatever games that remain for India, they must give the contenders a substantial run and an opportunity to calm down their nerves in order to display what they have to offer.

While it may not be possible to give everyone a run, there is a good chance that someone like KL Rahul or Dinesh Karthik step up and cement their spot in the team. There is absolutely no doubt over the talent and potential they posses, so it might just be a matter of giving them a chance.

The other problem that India need to figure out is the role of the grey-bearded Dhoni in a young and aggressive environment. It is noteworthy to mention that Dhoni is invaluable when it comes to guiding spinners like Kuldeep and Chahal. He has a brain that has far more experience than anyone in the team, and he is equally, if not more fit that some players in the team. What is missing though, is his aggression that is obviously costing the team those extra cushion of runs for their bowlers. It might be time to accept he isn't the same brutal ball smacker he was, and might fit into a top order role much better.

Let us have a look on the upcoming assignments of the Indian team where they would like to zero down on a particular squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup:

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#1. The Asia Cup

India have mostly been ruthlessly dominant in this tournament

While the Asia Cup may not necessarily have sides that can match the quality of the England side, it certainly is going to be one where India should try out as many combinations at numbers 4,5,6 and 7 in the batting order. Because as of now, India are looking like a side that easily flattens if none of the top 3 make an impact.

In addition to this, India should also look to strengthen their fast bowling depth, because Umesh Yadav and Siddharth Kaul looked quite inconsistent in the recent series against England. India should work on the fitness of someone like Mohammed Shami who has a decent ODI record, and could be an excellent backup option in case of injury to the premier pacers.

Amid political tensions, the Asia Cup is to be played in the UAE instead of India. Nevertheless, the India-Pakistan contest should make a sizzling affair, considering India would like to heal the scars of the unexpected Champions trophy loss earlier this year.

In addition to this, the Indian batsman would like to be tested against the bowling prowess of what looks like a good crop of Pakistani quicks. Hasan Ali and Mohammed Amir played a significant part in India's Champions Trophy loss, and India would like to ensure that they play the swinging ball more comfortably before they arrive at the big stage.

#2. West Indies tour of India (5 ODIs)

The T20 World Champions are nothing close to as good over fifty overs

This might be a low profile series for India to test their quality. The last time these two sides came together, Dhawan, Kohli and Rohit just casually strode to high scores in a manner that was described as a 'net practice' by the commentators.

However, this might be a time for India to stop experimenting and give the middle order a settled look. This is the series for India to give MS Dhoni some time in the middle, by promoting him to bat at number 3. This might sound like quite an absurd idea, but it is important to understand that MS Dhoni has sufficient skill to perform at the international level. What he needs is more time at the crease to settle into a good groove.

Considering he doesn't even play Test cricket, the general public tend to forget that he isn't getting as much game time as Kohli or Dhawan. It is essential to cast the mind back to India's previous ODI series against England, when after a top order collapse, Dhoni and Yuvraj stitched up a colossal partnership, making memorable hundreds in the process. This was when Dhoni came in very early and had the time to settle in.

We know that King Kohli has a reputation for consistency, and we know that, the best players in the team should be given the maximum time to bat. But if Dhoni plays 3, then the number 4 issue will automatically be solved by Kohli, who is versatile enough to play any role.

#3. India tour of New Zealand (5 ODIs)

India won the series in a tight decider the last time these two sides faced

This is India's best chance to replicate English conditions against a quality opposition with world class seamers and an outfit capable of more than challenging India. If India want to get positive results in this series, this is when things should really be starting to fall in place in terms of team balance.

This includes their middle order, the sixth bowling option, and MS Dhoni's role in the batting lineup. Add to the mix some quality players of spin like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Tom Latham, the spin twins of Kuldeep and Chahal should get a real measure of where they stand.

It is important to remember that New Zealand is a team stacked with all rounders and batting firepower, and look very similar to England in approach and composition. From hard-going openers to a long tail, India's bowling woould be thoroughly tested in this series.

Hardik Pandya hasn't quite been at his best, despite performing consistently at an average level. This should be a series for him to do a bit more than doing the "holding-this-end" role, considering he should get some favourable conditions that support bounce and swing.

#4. Australia tour of India and India tour of Australia (5 ODIs and 3 ODIs)

India looks like a contrastingly balanced side compared to Australia

The last time these two sides met, wristspin proved to be too much for Australia to handle, as they crashed to a 4-1 series defeat away from home. More importantly, this was a time when Steven Smith and David Warner were still a part of the Australian 50 over setup.

In their absence, Australia are likely to suffer a similar fate unless their quicks are fit in time for the series. Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Coulter-Nile would be great for Indian batsman to experience express pace bowling, which they are likely to encounter later at the World Cup.

In addition to this, the Indian spinners would also be tested on the flat and batsman-friendly pitches in Australia, that aren't too conducive to spin. While they may not be a full strength Australian side, 8 ODI's will give the Indians a good time to familiarise themselves with their opponents and extract any weaknesses they can use in the World Cup.