Final member of the Indian ODI WC squad: The core group of the Indian team for the World Cup picks itself. These players have played a considerable amount of cricket together. They know the roles and what is expected of them in that position. The selectors won’t spend a lot of time picking the starting 9-10 names.
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Final member of the Indian ODI WC squad – India’s sure starters in the squad:
Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are certainties. Virat Kohli continues to be the greatest in the format, he picks himself. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja walk into the side as two genuine all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav is the side’s frontline spinner. Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah form the pace trio.
This leaves the side with 9 players who form the backbone of the squad. There is uncertainty over India’s first-choice keeper, KL Rahul as he is yet to recover from injury. Shreyas Iyer another key member is nursing injury and is a doubtful starter.
The keeper conundrum:
Ishan Kishan has done enough to warrant a selection as the second-choice keeper. But his ideal spot in the playing XI will be as an opener. It will mean India needs to push either Sharma, Gill, or Kohli to bat one position lower. If India doesn’t want to tinker with their opening combination of Sharma-Gill, then they could play Sanju Samson as keeper batter instead at number 5. Samson’s ODI average is right up there with the best among the current Indian batters. If Rahul isn’t fit, India will need to pick both Kishan and Samson.
The choice at number 4:
Iyer’s absence will be a big miss for the side as he has played the most number of games batting at that position. He is one of the few modern players who dominate spin in the middle overs. Suryakumar Yadav has been tried at this position but he hasn’t inspired confidence with below-par numbers in the format.
The rise of Tilak Varma has made a solid case for his inclusion at number 4. He can be the X-factor left-hander who can break the top-heavy mould of right-handers. Varma is the only player in the top 5 who can also contribute with the ball. India can go in with 6 specialist batters including two keeper batters in their 15-man World Cup squad.
The number 8 problem:
India has seen how the lack of batting depth can affect them in limited-overs cricket. It will become imperative for India to select someone like Shardul Thakur in the squad. He might be expensive with the ball but his wicket-taking ability makes him a definite have in the team. Thakur can also be the fourth seamer in the 15.
Axar Patel is another option who could slot in at number 8. The only challenge fielding Axar is that he offers exactly what Jadeja provides the team. It is herein where the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin makes cricketing sense. Teams like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand have a lot of left-handers in the lineup. Ashwin can make a huge difference in such games. It is herein where Ashwin can add more value than Axar in the 15. Will the selectors though make this bold call?
The makeup of the squad:
Batters – 6:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Tilak Varma or Suryakumar Yadav/ *Shreyas Iyer
- Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson or *KL Rahul
All-rounders – 4:
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur + Ravichandran Ashwin or Axar Patel
Bowlers – 4:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammad Siraj
- Mohammad Shami
The final member of the squad?
It leaves India with just one spot to fill. Will they in go with an extra specialist batter in the form of Varma/SKY or will they want both Ashwin and Axar in the 15? They could also think of picking an extra bowler. India has two options: Yuzvendra Chahal’s wrist spin or Prasidh Krishna’s pace. The selectors have their tasks cut out when they pick the World Cup squad.
