ICC World Cup 2019: Sanjay Manjrekar Omits KL Rahul from India’s Playing XI
May 30, 2019 at 10:40 AM
The Indian squad selection for the ICC World Cup 2019 has been quite eventful. Earlier the head of selection team for India, MSK Prasad chose the three-dimensional Vijay Shankar over out-of-form Ambati Rayadu. And he was trolled for his reasons over not giving Rayadu a chance. Now, its the commentator Sanjay Manjrekar who left KL Rahul out of India’s playing XI despite his ton in the second warm-up against Bangladesh.
Rahul was included in the 15-man squad announced by the selectors for the World Cup this time. In the last warm-up played against Bangladesh, KL Rahul(108) scored the second highest after MS Dhoni‘s 113. The stadium was roaring with his flawless strokes around the dial. His century staked his name ahead in the list for the number four slot for India.
However, the former Indian cricketer turned commentator doesn’t think that Rahul should be in the playing XI of India. According to him, it was the controversial name Vijay Shankar who was selected for the fourth position. And thus, it is he(Shankar) who should be given a chance to show his worth.
Sanjay Picked Kedhar Jadhav in Place of Dinesh Karthik
Further, he picked Kedhar Jadhav for the number five position, although he hasn’t fully recovered from his shoulder yet. Sanjay chose Jadhav who’ve played by the national side in ODIs in place of Dinesh Karthik. Karthik who needed the one chance to prove his mettle in the big tournament has to work out whatever opportunity he gets.
Meanwhile, Sanjay went for Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah ignoring Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He also picked Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in his playing XI.
However, Sanjay believes Hardik Pandya will not be able to play all of his ten overs in every match of the tournament. He picks Pandya for the seventh position while skipping Ravindra Jadeja.
India has won their second warm-up match against Bangladesh by 95 runs. And now will face the Proteas players in the eighth match of the World Cup 2019 scheduled on June 5.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India’s Playing XI:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal