With less than 2 months left for the India World Cup Squad 2019, which is starting from the 30th of May, 10 participant countries have started putting their squad on paper. With the limit of 15 players per squad, New Zealand and Australia have already submitted their final squad with Kane Williamson and Aron Finch as the captains respectively. After considering the tough competition which will be faced by Team India. BCCI has also announced India’s 15-member world cup squad.
Mannava Sri Kanth Prasad (MSK Prasad), one of the selectors of Indian Cricket Team, has addressed the media in the press conference and stated that the selection committee has selected the most balanced squad and ha covered all the bases. India’s 15-member world cup squad looks something like this:
-
Batsman
- Rohit Sharma (Batsman)
- Shikhar Dhawan (Batsman)
- Virat Kohli (Batsman) (Captain)
-
Wicket-Keeper
- MS Dhoni (WK-Batsman)
- Dinesh Karthik (WK-Batsman)
- Lokesh Rahul (WK-Batsman)
-
All-rounder
- Kedar Jadhav (Batsman All-rounder)
- Vijay Shankar (Batsman All-rounder
- Hardik Pandya (Bowler All-rounder)
- Ravindra Jadeja (Bowler All-rounder)
-
Bowler
- Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm Chinaman)
- Yuzvendra Chahal (Right-arm Legbreak)
- Mohammed Shami (Right-arm Fast-mid)
- Jasprit Bumrah (Right-arm Fast-mid)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Right-arm Fast-mid)
The biggest surprise for the fans is the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik over the in-form Rishabh Pant. BCCI has glued to the same one-day international team which is playing for the last year with a few changes. With Rishabh Pant, Ambati Rayudu is set to miss this year’s world cup. One can easily identify the reason behind his omission from the national team by having a look at its statistics. Ambati Rayudu who was playing for Indian national team at no. 4 for the last one year isn’t able to impress the selectors. He managed to score the highest of 18 in the Australia series and scored only one 50+ against the New-Zealand.
When questioned about the omission of young sensation Rishabh Pant. MSK Prasad told that he will only be included in the world-cup squad if MS Dhoni gets injured. No doubt Rishabh Pant has performed greatly, it seemed difficult for the selectors to choose the wicketkeepers. On asking about the role of Kings XI Punjab’s Sher KL Rahul, it came into the image that he will be playing the world-cup as the optional/reserved opener or at No.5.
The selectors were questioned a lot about the selection of not-so-experienced Vijay Shankar. MSK Prasad explained the reasons behind it and said that he is a 3-dimensional player. He is a good batsman. Is great at fielding and occasionally he bowls too. So, the selection of Vijay Shankar is based on his image of Batsman who can bowl.
Talking about the bowling, BCCI has selected an excess of 4 fast-bowlers and 4 spinners with a medium pacer. Questions have arisen whether India needs another pacer or not. If yes, then the name which comes into the mind is Umesh Yadav. The right-arm fast bowler has helped India in winning on different occasions.
Now, all we can do is wait. Wait to see these players playing under the captain-ship of Virat Kohli.
