And, yeah, finally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced their squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. As expected, there are quite a few surprising names on the chart with the regulars being dropped. The likes of Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant has been dropped.
The team will be led by the skipper Virat Kohli while the two openers are Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. The backup opener for the team is KL Rahul, who recently knocked a stunning century in the Indian Premier League 2019.
The surprise at the number 4 position is the young Vijay Shankar. He is going to be played at number 4 for the team ahead of Ambati Rayudu. Then comes to the wicket-keeper section, which will be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is going to be the first-choice player in the side.
As a backup, Dinesh Karthik got the green signal ahead of Rishabh Pant, who was expected to be the X-factor for India by the former cricketers and analysts. In between, Hardik Pandya also got the nod, who is in a terrific touch for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.
Kedar Jadhav is the other golden player to be in the chart for Indian National Cricket Team. Further, Ravindra Jadeja got the nod to travel to England. He is going to be the backup for the Wrist spinners in the side and also, offers depth in the batting.
Coming to the fast bowling section, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be assisted by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. All in all, it looks pretty decent squad with all the departments being covered well enough.
Virat Kohli, who is currently having a poor run in the Indian Premier League 2019 will be leading the side while Rohit Sharma is going to be the vice-captain of the team.
Here are a few Twitter Reactions:
6 mnths back, Mohammad Shami was nowhere near being considered for white ball cricket, but some outstanding performances has ensured he plays his 2nd World Cup. Him & Jadeja have fought their way back in .There will be few disappointed players but best wishes to Team India #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/tqjm2nAwAM
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 15, 2019
The bowling picked itself. There will be days when India will consider playing all 3 seamers but I suspect that most days it will be 2 pacers and 2 wrist spinners so 3 + Pandya seems right. Both Vijay Shankar and Jadhav have to make the side as batsmen with bowling just a bonus
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
Ambati Rayudu must be shattered though. His place was deemed certain and he had even quit 4 day cricket to focus on this. But form is such a cruel mistress. The harder he tried the more he seemed to struggle. My heart goes out to him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
This means the #No4 debate is still open. Options now are Vijay Shankar or Virat Kohli with Rahul at no. 3. People who watch a lot of domestic cricket really rate Vijay Shankar. Happy for him but his temperament will be tested.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
Let's repeat the 1983 story in England.
Indiaaa Indiaaa ??#CWC19— Shantanu (@WhyShantanu) April 15, 2019
Wasn’t Pant elevated to the top tier of the Central Contracts a few weeks back?? Not a certainty in two of the three formats. ??
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
So, India has picked Shankar as #4 option. Without really knowing if it’ll work. DK will play only when Dhoni isn’t available. And no fourth seamer. Interesting choices. Hope it works. ☺️?Good luck ?? #CWC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/imJSuthar/status/1117733252414885889
BCCI is so posh that they have selected a fielding specialist in the team.
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 15, 2019
Congratulations to @vijayshankar260 & @DineshKarthik on selecting for #CWC19. Well deserved.
Be positive & Confident??— Senthil Juggernaut (@IamJuggernaut24) April 15, 2019
High voltage expectations from this group. Clearly they've chosen experience and patience in the form of @DineshKarthik. Middle order will be very interesting to see @klrahul11/@DineshKarthik could be at number 4. Rest seems sorted with @JadhavKedar and @msdhoni at number 5/6.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 15, 2019
I am mighty happy that @DineshKarthik gets a place in India's World Cup squad. He was the one who deserved it the most and it is great to see his name up there. I am playing him in the playing XI as a finsher. #CWC19 #TeamIndia #BCCI
— Gautam Chauhan? (@Gautamchauhan2) April 15, 2019
Such a big moment for young @vijayshankar260 . Debuted in January this year and finds himself in the world cup squad after some decent performances. He has earned his place and more so because no one else could cement the no. 4 spot. @Aman2751995 @bhogleharsha #CWC19 #TeamIndia
— Shikhar (@shikharkedia651) April 15, 2019
Hard luck Rishabh Pant. He will be back stronly in 2020 t20 wc and 2023 world cup
— Abishek (@abishekitsme) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/royalkhukri/status/1117732695293878273
https://twitter.com/ashishnehra64/status/1117726639993942017
https://twitter.com/RakulPreetFc_10/status/1117726643072557056
U just ignored Rayudu with a 50+ average for a 5 game old player Vijay Shankar who has 3-dimensions as u said MSK prasad ok then 7 bowling options in an ODI team WTF do u think the bowling is weak, the 4 bowlers will bowl 40 overs automatically #CWC19
— Rahul Singh (@RahulSinggghhh) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1117735677125201926
https://twitter.com/CorporateDalit/status/1117736669791186950
India's squad is unsurprising – they have a strategy defined by caution in the middle order & they've opted for experience & stability over explosiveness & risk. That said, Pant's absence is a loss for the tournament: he's one of the most exciting players on the planet. #CWC19
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) April 15, 2019
These Lions' mane just became Blue! Congratulations to our Super Trio on making it to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Squad! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CWC19 ?? pic.twitter.com/K9XUWcfDjj
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 15, 2019