India’s world cup squad was announced today. Right after the 2015 world cup, people started predicting the squad for the next world cup. The 15 man squad has 7 players from the past world cup. MSK Prasad, the chief selector of Indian cricket team released the team list in a press conference in Mumbai. Here’s a quick take on the Indian team for the World Cup 2019. Will this team be able to bring the world cup back? Well, time will tell that but what can be told right now is the names of the players who are in and who misses out.
Openers
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and KL Rahul
Rohit-Shikhar will be the openers and Rahul will be the reserve opener. It was clearly mentioned by MSK Prasad that Vijay Shankar will be the first choice for the number 4 position. But he also mentioned that KL Rahul can be tried in the middle-order if needs arise.
Rahul has not played many one-days recently and hence his selection was surprising. He was selected on behalf of his overseas performance. He has played only 14 matches since making his debut in the year 2016. Out of these 14 matches 5 were played against England and rest were against Australia, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka.
Rohit Sharma is also the vice-captain of the team.
Batsmen
Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav
Virat Kohli will be leading the side and currently, he is one of the best batsmen in the world. He has been in good touch from the past few years as he scored runs almost everywhere. His presence in the side is no surprise at all.
Kedar Jadhav has proved many times that he can finish a game on his own. Also, his spin bowling comes up as an asset in some very difficult situation. It was in Champions Trophy 2017 that he changed the game against Bangladesh by taking two important wickets. Champions Trophy was played in England so will be the world cup and his experience can be a plus for the side.
All-rounders
Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Vijay Shankar
Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were the two expected all-rounders in the squad. But Vijay Shankar’s selection in the squad was a surprise for everyone.
Although he is an all-rounder, he is selected as a batsman who can bowl sometimes. MSK Prasad clearly mentioned that Vijay will be the first choice at number 4 position. While selecting Vijay, selectors completely ignored Ambati Rayudu who had solved India’s number 4 problem. But a sudden depletion in his form paved the way for Vijay.
India has tried many players at number 4 but none of them delivered results on a regular basis. Although Vijay is selected to play at this position but he has no experience of batting at number 4.
Wicket-keepers
MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik
There are no questions on Dhoni’s selection as the first choice wicket-keeper. But the selection of Dinesh Karthik as the reserve wicket-keeper surely raised many eyebrows. People in their ideal WC selection team preferred Rishabh Pant as the second wicket-keeper but the selectors ignored him. Karthik was given a chance because of his wicket-keeping skills. Pant was almost there but the selection committee wanted someone who can replace MS Dhoni and absorb the pressure. Dinesh Karthik was found perfect for this job.
Spinners
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav
The duo is known as ‘Kulcha’. Both of them are the regular spinners in the squad and there were no reasons as to why they should not be on the flight to London.
Pacers
Jasprit Bumrah, Bhubaneswar Kumar and Mohammad Shami
These three have proved their skills in many games and hence were given a go. No surprises were there in the pace department.
In case of an injury, Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmad will be sent as replacements. Four other medium pacers will travel with the team as net bowlers.
Probable Starting XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhubaneswar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Jaspirt Bumrah.
