In recent years, India's batters have struggled against spin.
Can the subcontinent giants maintain their 12-year invincibility?
Sourav Ganguly backs Tilak Varma to be India's No 4 if Shreyas Iyer unavailable
Rahul Chahar would have added another dimension to India's attack.
Fraser-McGurk, Stubbs or Samson? Pick your best batters
The South Africa series in that context is the last big international T20 series that India play followed by one against Afghanistan in mid-January.
Senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven't played too many ODIs in the last couple of years, while young Shubman Gill is still finding his feet at the top level.
India went on an experimentation spree in the limited overs series against the West Indies but not much came out of it except Tilak Varma emerging as a contender for a World Cup middle-order slot on the back of his exploits in the T20 series.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels his team needs to improve in all aspects of the game after its third defeat in five games in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav became the first Indian bowler to register a hat-trick in the ICC Under-19 World Cup before the defending champions struggled to a five-wicket victory over minnows Scotland while chasing a paltry target of 88.
Rohit Sharma ended his barren spell with the bat as Mumbai Indians edged Delhi Capitals off the final ball of the match.
K L Rahul has managed just 38 runs in three innings in the ongoing Test series against Australia.
The fifth and final Test is still two days away but thousands of English fans have flocked to the hill station.
India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Pakistan does not have any injury concerns but they are one of the most undercooked ODI sides at the moment. Since the 2019 World Cup, the 'Green Brigade' has played just 29 ODIs, whereas India have played 57 matches in the same period. - Asia Cup 2023
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup Super Fours match against Bangladesh?
Fit again Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari made their way back into the Indian Test squad, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya was left out for next month's IIC World Test Championship final against New Zealand and the five-match series against England.
India became the first team in the history of One-Day Internationals to win by a margin of 300 runs or more as they thrashed Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the third and final ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday.
How India's players fared in the Asia Cup.
India skipper Rohit Sharma chose to keep suspense over his preferred batting and bowling line-ups for the opening Test against Australia.
On a pitch that was difficult to score big runs, Punjab scored a par total of 147 for 8. Rajasthan scripted a late win thanks to Shimron Hetmyer's 10-ball 27.
Ishan Kishan had to sit out of the Sri Lanka series despite scoring the fastest double hundred in the history of ODIs against Bangladesh.
Images from the first T20 International between India and New Zealand, in Ranchi, on Friday.
Considering that he will captain the T20I side, Hardik Pandya might get a breather during the ODI series.
England pace legend Stuart Broad lauded former teammate James Anderson for becoming the first-ever pacer to complete 700 Test wickets, saying that one should "marvel at his skill" besides talking about his dedication and mental resilience.
Both Kishan and Iyer would be fired up to perform after not getting a run against Australia.
Australian batters lacked intent and failed to play an aggressive brand of cricket against India's world class spinners, said former skipper Aaron Finch, adding they will need to bring a change in their mindset to be at the forefront.
Virat Kohli would be the perfect answer for India's No. 4 conundrum at the World Cup, said AB de Villiers.
David Warner is set to lead the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season and assistant coach Shane Watson said the opener will have a point to prove in the tournament.
India edged closer to a comfortable win in the opening Test against Bangladesh
IMAGES from the 2nd ODI match played Between South Africa and India in Gqeberha, South Africa on Tuesday.
Pant had so far scored 222 runs in the IPL compared to a mere 93 by Karthik, but the latter's experience helped tilt the scale in his favour for the mega-event, starting in England from May 30.
IMAGES from day 3 of the 1st Test between Bangladesh and India played in Chottogram on Friday.
Sans Hardik, it's starting all over again for dominant India
World Cup hosts India cantered to their second successive win of the tournament after captain Rohit Sharma's incendiary century set up their eight-wicket thrashing of Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Rohit dropped hints that all three could feature in the playing XI at Chepauk
Mark Wood and Alzarri Joseph scarred the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan in Delhi's line-up in the first two games. Now, when these talented but low on confidence willow wielders face an attack comprising Trent Boult, KM Asif and Jason Holder they will have to negotiate speeds of mid-130 kmph.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between India and England in Visakhapatnam, on Friday
Delhi Capitals will expect a more purposeful approach from its Indian batting unit as it plays for pride against Punjab Kings.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the World Cup match against New Zealand?
