ICC World Cup 2019: Team India – Squad Analysis

Apr 15, 2019 at 7:21 PM

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ICC World Cup 2019: Team India – Squad Analysis

There has been excitement and buzz ahead of the announcement of Team India squad for the ICC World Cup 2019. Over a couple of weeks, it has been a pressing issue. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) national team selector MSK Prasad alongside interim secretary Amitabh Chaudhary on Monday (April 15) sat down to name the 15-man coveted squad for the multi-nation competition in England. The ODI showpiece is about glory and glitz.

Before a deep-dive to analyse India squad, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has somewhat shattered hopes of a few.

It’s pretty unfortunate in case of potent Ambati Rayudu, who has 55 match experience and promising wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

ICC World Cup 2019, Rishabh Pant, Team India, Squad Analysis
Selectors pick Karthik or young Pant. Photo Credit: Getty Images

In short, Rayudu’s numbers weren’t that bad to get sidelines. He has featured in 55 ODIs to accumulate 1,694 runs at an average of 47.06. He has ten half-centuries and three centuries to his name.

By going according to the squad, it’s the robust activity, but there’s a lot to fill when it comes to the number four spot in demanding English conditions. Over the years, different batters were tested at that particular spot, but it has often remained a serious issue to address, thereon.

However, the time will decide whether Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav will win the particular spot in the challenging United Kingdom (UK) conditions. All in all, there has at least a couple of senior batters around who could carry forward the tail in diciest of the situations.

The selectors were pretty adamant about filling the void by introducing promising all-rounder Shankar in the fold which eventually blocked the road to World Cup for Ambati Rayudu. Anyway, there’s always the next time. But he is already 33. Again there is undoubtedly dilemma overpowering us.

The Tamil Nadu-based promising prospect Shankar has done exceedingly well in patches; let’s say in the series Down Under.

Vijay Shankar, Team India, Squad Analysis
There’s always one winner. Photo Credit: BCCI.

According to Prasad, Shankar is a three-dimensional player.

However, Prasad gleefully maintained Shankar had been outstanding fielder. Has this trait won him a spot for the ODI showpiece? I should say probably NO.

But, it is the way how Prasad has been defining things over the years. Recently, he reiterated the IPL performance wouldn’t be considered, but in the backdrop, it has been a blessing in disguise for KL Rahul. He must be over the moon – to find his spot as a backup opener.

Pragmatically, the occasional wicketkeeper-batsman Rahul has delivered in the recent past for Team India. Overall, there weren’t many choices to counter Rahul inclusion. So, he had a straight burst, to say the least.

Have you missed on the names? No worries – to beat the scorching heat, gulp down a juice of glass and watch it:

The Men in Blue might have missed the trick of not introducing a left-arm pace option. It could have proved to be an X-factor given to the conditions in England. It will be felt if India’s batting stock in the middle-order fails to leave an impression on seamer-friendly wickets.

With the addition of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, there seems no gap in the spin ploy. The management didn’t leave any stone unturned by relying on their regular assets of the white-ball cricket.
While banking on Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, Team India has a formidable spin-bowling department.

Missing genuine fourth seam-bowling option:

ICC World Cup, Team India, Squad Analysis
Khaleel was also in the World Cup contention. Photo Credit: Getty Images)

It might not be seeming a worry for India, given to the inclusion of all-rounders in the form of Shankar and Hardik Pandya, but the left-arm pace option brings a lot to the table. It not only lends variety to the team, the option equally makes opponents to ponder over their picking ahead of their respective games.

For selectors, Khaleel Ahmed has emerged to be too raw for the spot

Rayudu’s omission and a stark contrast:

Ambati Rayudu, ICC World Cup, Team India
Rayudu’s omission a concern for Team India? Photo Credit: Getty Images

Of late, if going by the performance than it should’ve been a tough road for Rahul, too. Anyway, it’s all over. To be honest, while playing a newcomer at the No.4 would be a gamble for Team India. However, the introduction of experienced and somewhat a player like Dinesh Karthik would suffice the case.

Conclusion, the first playing XI looks quite strong for the Team India with Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan making it to the core of Indian batting line-up.

On the other side, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have the onus on their shoulders.

Indeed, there is no dearth in experience.

A composed character in Dhoni is set to play his fourth World Cup. Also, Kohli will play his third.

Besides, Rohit, Dhawan, Karthik and Bhuvneshwar, Jadeja and Shami will feature in their second World Cup.

Despite English pitches helping the pacers, the Team India trio needs to pull up their socks. It’s a good indication to send four pacers as reserve bowlers.

All in all, there is plenty to unfold ahead of the ICC World Cup.

There’s a mix of youth and experience and the leader like insatiable Kohli is playing his first World Cup as a skipper.

Again, Dhoni’s skills will help Kohli. Overall, Team India has covered bases apart from the jig-saw puzzle.

India’s squad for the ICC 2019 World Cup:

Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (Vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MSD (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami

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