5 Upcoming ODI Series That Will Help India Prepare for the World Cup

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is just a year away and all the big teams have already started their preparations for the quadrennial tournament. It will be played in England and Wales and the home team undoubtedly will be one of the hot contenders to lift the title for the first time in their history. However, England is not the only favourites for the series. The Men in Blue are also in some red-hot form and will be one of the favourites to lift the cup for the 3^rd time.

The way they thrashed the Proteas in their den shows the ruthlessness in their cricket at this point in time. With the World Cup scheduled to be played in less than a year’s time, India will play quite a few important series in lead up to the tournament.

Now without wasting further time let us look at the upcoming ODI series which India will play in the lead up to the World Cup

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India vs England in England 3 ODI’s

The Men in Blue is all set to take on hosts England in a 3 match ODI series in July. It will be an ideal preparation for India ahead of the World Cup. Given the fact that the tournament will be played in England, India will look to get their combinations right. Hence we might see a few chopping and change in the ODI series.

It will be a pretty important series for players like Suresh Raina who will be making a comeback. MS Dhoni will also play a major role. Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli will look to be among runs all through the season. Some of the newcomers have made their first appearance and it will be a big opportunity for them.

Asia Cup in U.A.E, September 2018

Just after the tour of England, India will fly to the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup. Six teams will participate in the tournament which will be played in September. Unlike the previous year, the format of the tournament has gone back to the traditional 50 overs. Last year it was played as a T20 tournament which India won.

It will be after the Champions Trophy final that India will be meeting their arch-rivals Pakistan. They suffered a humiliating defeat in the final of the Champions Trophy last year and will look to seek revenge.

India vs Australia in Australia, 3 ODIs, January 2019

India will tour Australia in January for a brief limited overs series. They will play 3 ODI’s and it will be a big opportunity for them to win their first bilateral ODI series in Australia. After the sandpaper gate incident, Australia has not really recovered. They are staring at 5-0 series thumping against England and have looked quite ordinary throughout the series.

It will be a big ask for the Aussies to restrict India who has been in some stupendous form. It will be a perfect preparation ahead of the World Cup. India will definitely look to take the cup back which they surrendered to Australia again in 2015.

India vs Australia in India, 5 ODIs, Feb-Mar 2019

Just after the series against New Zealand, Australia will tour India for a 5 match ODI series. It will be the return leg and India would look to win yet another series against the Aussies. They were quite ruthless the last time Australia toured India and they should look to stamp their authority in home conditions.

The preparations in the home won’t be ideal ahead of the World Cup in England. However international match experience is always special and India should gain from it.

India Vs New Zealand in New Zealand, 5 ODIs, February 2019

India will take part in a 5 match ODI series against the Kiwis in February next year. The Men in Blue lost quite badly the last time they toured. Hence it will be revenge time. The series will also serve as an ideal preparation for the World Cup.

New Zealand is a country where there is lateral seam movement which will help India prepare for the World Cup. Some of the new guys might be given a break. However, by then, India would surely like to stick to a combination and make sure it works.