5 reasons Australian bowlers should be beware of the Indian batting line-up

5 reasons Australian bowlers should be beware of the Indian batting line-up: Indian batting line up has been overactive in this World Cup, scoring enough runs for their bowling line up to defend easily and have chased runs when requirement was there for them to step up. Australian bowling though strong and bowling in their home conditions should be wary of the following 5 batsmen in the Indian batting line up. 1. Shikhar Dhawan Shikhar Dhawan has 5 ODI hundreds outside Asia.(Photo Source: BCCI) The Indian opener has had a great World Cup debut scoring 2 centuries in the tournament, one coming against a strong opposition like South Africa. He has been in good touch and has had good form against Australia. His trouble has been the line of bowling which is around off stump, but doesn’t give him any room to free his hands; he ends up either edging it or chopping it on his stumps. But if he gets going, he can take the attack to Starc, Johnson and co. easily. 2. Virat Kohli Virat Kohli scored a ton against Pakistan.(Photo Source: BCCI) Kohli has been silent after his century against Pakistan, but Australia knows what he is capable of since he has scored a century in 52 balls against them and scored 2 centuries in a single test in the 4 test series preceding the World Cup. He has been currently struggling with some issues outside off stump, which Starc and Johnson will look to exploit. But if he gets going, be rest assured he will hit a big century with a chance to play in the World Cup final at stake. He is a big match player and knows how to soak the pressure in and can both attack and defend with ease. Australia should get him out early, or can watch him score another brilliant hundred while trying to get him out futilely. 3. MS Dhoni The old cliché ‘when the going gets tough, the tough gets going’ holds absolutely true for MS Dhoni whenever team requires the most. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Captain cool has been a thorn in Aussie’s neck since defeating them in QFs of World Cup 2011. Dhoni got back in form with a match winning half century against Zimbabwe. But what Australia will be concerned about is his ability to manipulate the ODI game. The match between India and Australia will be a game of chess with Dhoni and Clarke at opposite ends, trying to outwit one another. Dhoni is also a proven match winner with the bat easily capable to destroy Starc and co. in the final overs batting first or chasing. He knows he can defend the World Cup he won in the 2011 and get his name on the greatest of great in annals of cricket. Get him out early and you have the match in hand, else watch him take India to the finals with a six (mostly) and smiling. 4. Suresh Raina Suresh Raina hit match winning century against Zimbabwe.(© Getty Images) Leader of India’s supporting cast and one of the most encouraging people on the field, Raina has come into his own and reached a whole new level with a brilliantly match winning century against Zimbabwe when India were 4 down for 50 odd and led India to victory. Suresh Raina has a well-documented problem with short balls, and Starc, Johnson will love to exploit that on the Sydney pitch. Raina has been working with the great Sachin Tendulkar, Pravin Amre to rectify that. But if India is in trouble or needs quick runs, he is the only batsman from India who can hit sixes form ball one. Australia needs to get him out or hope he comes in with only 4-5 balls to go. 5. Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma was given the Man of the match for his 137. (© Getty Images) The talented Rohit Sharma scored 2 fifties and 1 century in this World Cup, but all against non-top 5 teams in ODI rankings. But India is happy that he is making runs so he is back in form. Australia still remember his 209 in 2014, though he has added a 264 to that, Australia know despite looking like a turtle with his slow starts, he can finish the game with a lion like innings. If he sticks there in the middle around enough, be rest assured that India will move towards a big total. His fielding prowess is well known and he can roll his arm over as well. His problem is around the off stump and if Starc or Johnson could get one to go across him, India could have a major setback in the beginning either in a chase or setting a target.