There had been a lot of talk regarding the potential number four for India, a pain point that the team has been trying to resolve for quite a while now. India went in with two potential options – Dinesh Karthik and Shankar. The reserve keeper slot has gone to Karthik while KL Rahul will be the backup opener.
Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu were the biggest exclusions as India named the 15-member squad for ICC World Cup 2019.
The team which will be led by Virat Kohli included Dinesh Karthik as the second wicket-keeper besides MS Dhoni. Vijay Shankar was included in the squad as an all-rounder along with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kedar Jadhav. In the bowling department, the individuals who were included in the team were Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami.
List Of Players for England & Wales 2019 World Cup
Squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik
MSK Prasad Speaks
MSK Prasad stated that Karthik was preferred over Pant due to his superior keeping skills. “Definitely, a case where we debated at length. We all agreed that either Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik will come in only when MS Dhoni is injured. In an important game, wicket keeping is also important. That’s the reason we went with Dinesh Karthik,” said Prasad.
Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal
Ravindra Jadeja took up the third spinner’s slot, alongside wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The four pacers in the side picked themselves with Jasprit Bumrah leading an attack that also includes Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
A Few things went for Shankar
Speaking about Rayudu’s exclusion, Prasad said, “After the Champions Trophy (2017), we tried quite a few people in that position. We did give a few more chances to Rayudu. Vijay Shankar is three dimensional. We are looking at him at no. 4 to begin with. We also have Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav. It’s not that anything that went against Rayudu, it’s that a few things went for Shankar.”
“To begin with KL Rahul, he will be reserve opener, if his need arises the team management will take a call,” he added. Prasad also said that a few other bowlers will travel along with the team, as net bowlers, but added that they will be named later.
India begins their quest for a third World Cup title on June 5 against South Africa at Southampton. They’ll play two warm-up fixtures before that, against New Zealand at The Oval on May 25 and against Bangladesh at Cardiff on May 28.
