ICC Champions Trophy 2017: India’s Probable Second-String 15-Man Squad For The Tournament
May 4, 2017 at 3:52 PM
With the BCCI and ICC involved in a tussle over the newly-implemented revenue model that is set to cost India a major chunk of the revenue they used to earn under the ‘Big Three’ model, speculations are rife over India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Indian cricket board is miffed with the ICC after the apex body abolished the ‘Big Three’ revenue in favour of introducing a new revenue model, violating the Members Participation Agreement which was signed in 2014. According to the new model, based on current forecasted revenues and costs, the BCCI will receive $293 million across the next eight-year cycle instead of $570 million that it was supposed to earn according to the deal that was signed three years ago.
The BCCI has already crossed the April 25 deadline to announce the squad for the tournament and nothing has been finalised yet on Team India’s participation in the showpiece event.
Recent media reports have suggested that the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators are against boycotting the tournament but at the same time, they are also not willing to bow down in front of the ICC. Moreover, revoking the Members Participation Agreement could also see India missing all the ICC tournaments till 2023.
In such a scenario, it is very much likely that the BCCI might send a second string side. Moreover, the fact that all of India’s matches are already sold out at the tournament, it may prompt the officials to send a team consisting of second string players.
As of now, nothing has been finalised yet but sending a second-string side is looking like a big possibility. So here we are taking a look at the probable squad for the upcoming tournament:
Ambati Rayudu (captain):
Rishabh Pant:
Seen as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Pant has been turning heads with his performances in the domestic circuit. The 19-year old grabbed the attention when he scored a belligerent 308 off 326 balls against Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy last year. He followed it up with a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand, one of the fastest first-class centuries by an Indian. He finished Ranji Trophy as its fourth-highest run-getter with 972 runs in only 8 outings including four centuries and a couple of fifties.
He recently made his T20I debut against England and his performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League is also decent.
Sanju Samson:
The only Indian to score a century in the ongoing Indian Premier League, Samson is in terrific form. In the nine matches so far, the Delhi Daredevils opener has amassed 313 runs at an average of 34.77 and a strike-rate of over 137.
Karun Nair:
Karun Nair proved his mettle by becoming only the second Indian batsman after the legendary Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Test when he scored an unbeaten 303 against England last year. The right-handed batsman has struggled to put up decent performances since that heroic knock but his past performances are enough for the management to show faith in him.
Manan Vohra:
Another highly-rated top-order batsman, Manan Vohra can be a good option for the second string side. Inconsistency has always been his biggest nemesis but he has played several knocks which show his immense potential. In the ongoing IPL, his 95-run knock in a losing cause against Sunrisers Hyderabad had garnered praise from all over as he single-handedly kept his team in the chase.
Manoj Tiwary:
Another experienced performer in the domestic circuit, Manoj Tiwary is looking in good touch this season. After a brilliant domestic season where he led Bengal to the final of Vijay Hazare trophy, Tiwary has been one of Rising Pune Supergiant’s most consistent performer. He has been able to give his side the much-needed runs during the death overs and he can surely play a similar role for the Indian team.
Nitish Rana:
Considered by many as the find of this season, the Delhi youngster is in superb form in this IPL. In 10 matches so far, he has scored 312 runs with the help of 3 fifties.
Krunal Pandya:
Another player who has turned heads with his exploits in the IPL, Krunal Pandya has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians since making his debut last season. After scoring 237 runs and taking 6 wickets in 2016, the all-rounder has scored 136 runs in addition to taking 10 wickets in 9 matches this season.
Axar Patel:
Yet to cement his spot in the national side, Axar Patel has also looked in good form this season. In 9 matches so far, he has taken 10 wickets in addition to scoring 138 runs.
Jayant Yadav:
The off-spinner from Haryana has not enjoyed a good IPL this season but he has already showcased what he is capable of during the Test series against England last year. Apart from his off-spins, he is also a more than capable as a lower-order batsman.
Shahbaz Nadeem:
Arguably, the most consistent spinner in the domestic circuit, Shahbaz Nadeem finished the last Ranji Trophy season as the highest wicket-taker with 56 wickets. He has over 300 first-class wickets and surely deserves a chance in this second-string side.
Sandeep Sharma:
Sandeep Sharma has impressed one and all with his swing bowling and can prove instrumental on the seaming pitches of England. He is also doing well in this IPL, taking 11 wickets in 8 outings including a four-wicket haul against Delhi Daredevils that helped Kings XI Punjab to bowl them out for a paltry 67.
Dhawal Kulkarni:
The experienced bowler from Mumbai is the ideal man to spearhead the pace attack of this team. With over 200 first-class wickets to his name, Kulkarni is one of the most consistent bowlers in the domestic circuit.
Siddarth Kaul:
The Punjab pacer, who was a part of the Indian U-19 team that won the World Cup in 2008, has been very impressive this season for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His bowling in pressure situations and especially the death overs has been outstanding.
Basil Thampi:
Another player who is seen by many as the find of the season, Thampi has been nothing short of a revelation for Gujarat Lions. The Kerela pacer, who has caught everyone’s attention with his fast yorkers and slower balls, has taken eight wickets from nine games so far.