India Probable squad for World Cup 2019: The Sportsrush presents before you India’s probable squad for the showpiece event.
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Indian selectors will announce the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 squad on April 15 in Mumbai. While the deadline to announce the squad for the showpiece event is April 23, Indian squad will be made public eight days in advance to “give players extra time to prepare”.
The development was made a few hours ago and has been followed by bountiful expert opinions on who should be the 15 names to board the plane to England.
After losing the ODI series (2-3) against Australia last month, a “sorted” India captain Virat Kohli had disclosed that the team is yet to discuss one spot for the World Cup. In the same interview, Kohli had laid emphasis on the fact that the rest of the squad is almost confirmed.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, a similar opinion was shared by Chief Selector MSK Prasad who went on to say that IPL 2019 performances won’t count in selecting the team. “Maybe one spot might go to the last minute, otherwise we are very clear about the rest.
“We will only be observing the performances of the players we think should be in the squad and the list of stand-byes. We have rounded up on 20 players. We will follow the form of these players,” Prasad was quoted as saying.
Going by Kohli and Prasad’s words and not considering a U-turn on their part, an out-of-the-box selection for the World Cup can be unequivocally ruled out.
India Probable squad for World Cup 2019
Batsmen
There is no hiding to the fact that India’s Top-order is arguably the best in ODIs among all the contemporary teams. Therefore, captain Virat Kohli, vice-captain Rohit Sharma and opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan are some of the automatic selections for the Indian team.
The last year has seen enough exchange of views with respect to India’s reserve opener. Sharma and Dhawan’s form didn’t allow the Indian selectors to give chances to other batsmen. With Lokesh Rahul performing that duty in the recent times, one expects him to make the cut for the World Cup squad.
Another major point of discussion for India since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 has been the No. 4 position in ODIs. Despite not one (out of 12 contenders) has proved his mettle, India are likely to compromise a bit at No. 4. Ideally, wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni should bat at No. 4. However, it seems that the team management will give that responsibility to Vijay Shankar.
Wicket-keepers
In the last year or so, cricket pundits have also shared a lot of dialogue on India naming a reserve wicket-keeper for the World Cup. While Dhoni remains a conformed selection, one out of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant is expected to be named in the squad.
In this battle of ‘experience’ vs ‘X-factor’, experience is more likely to get a go not just because of its name but also because of recent performances. Not that Karthik has scored loads of runs lately in ODIs, but he has scored runs when they mattered the most, in the most pressurizing situations.
Furthermore, with Pant yet to prove his mettle in ODIs, selecting him will involve a considerable amount of perils.
All-rounders
Since becoming a regular member of the ODI side in 2016, 34-year old Kedar Jadhav has not just transformed from a batsman to an all-rounder but also become an astute finisher for India. He and Hardik Pandya will majorly hold the key in the World Cup as far as finishing games for India is concerned.
Bowlers
A revelation in Jasprit Bumrah has evolved as one of the foremost names which come to mind while taking about bowling in the death overs. Bumrah is another automatic choice in not just the squad but also India’s starting XI. Depending on the conditions, one out of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami will share the new ball with Bumrah for India.
Among the spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are also confirmed selections and also two names who should feature in the starting XI.
Remaining “one” spot?
Not sure of which “one” spot was Kohli referring to but a spot which will entice a serious discussion is whether the selectors name another all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja or a fourth fast bowler.
In 15 ODIs since his comeback last year, Jadeja has dismissed 19 batsmen at an average of 36, an economy rate of 4.75 and a strike rate of 45.4. When it comes to holding one end, Jadeja can be the optimum choice for Kohli.
If India decide to play the same bowling combination of two pacers, two spinners and Hardik Pandya, Jadeja can also serve an able replacement if one out of Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav suffers a niggle. Moreover, his fielding has it in it to change the course of a match on its own.
On the contrary, if the selectors opt to go with a conventional approach of including a fourth fast bowler, they will have to go through plentiful options in Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul et al.
India Probable squad for World Cup 2019 – Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Lokesh Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja / fourth fast bowler.
