(Cricket news) India will now go into their final gear of the World Cup preparations. The squad for the Asia Cup has been announced and while some big names have returned, there are still a couple of links missing. India will play Pakistan and Nepal in the group stages of the competition with both matches set to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. Captain Rohit Sharma and newly appointed chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced the squad before answering questions in front of a press conference. Both of them did say that there is every possibility that the squad will change for the Australia series and eventually for the World Cup.
India’s Squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Traveling stand-by player: Sanju Samson
The biggest talking point is the dropping of Yuzvedra Chahal who has fallen behind Kuldeep Yadav in the pecking order. Ajit Agarkar clearly mentioned that fitting in two wrist spinners was always going to be difficult especially because none of them are handy with the bat. The indication is clear that Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep will be India’s two spinners with Axar Patel as the third option if needed due to his prowess with the willow. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, and Mukesh Kumar have all been dropped as expected while Sanju Samson is a stand-by.
The most surprising call-up is that of Tilak Varma. The southpaw has only played 7 T20Is and that too in the last couple of months. His selection is surprising because earning a maiden ODI call-up for such q big tournament is very rare. It is understandable as India were missing a left-hander in the middle order. He can also bowl some handy off-spin which is a bonus. India’s 4 premium pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna have all returned which is excellent news. Shardul Thakur is the other seam bowler but his ability to bat at 8 is what separates him.
Both Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are back in the squad. Iyer is fully fit and should walk straight into the line-up at number 4. Rahul on the other hand may not be fit for the group stages which is why Sanju Samson is traveling with the team. Agarkar has also confirmed that Rahul will be playing as a wicketkeeper-batter. Both Iyer and Rahul along with Bumrah and Prasidh are returning from long-term injuries so it will be crucial for them to get into the rhythm as soon as possible.
India’s biggest issue is that none of their 4 best bowlers are good enough to bat at 8. If India are to select their best batters in the top 5 then none of them can bowl, unlike the Indian team of the 2011 World Cup. Rohit Sharma did say in the press conference that it is a weak point but they have to make the best of what’s available to them. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will both play a very important role in the next couple of months.
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