Cricket World Cup 2023: ‘Balance, all-round options’

Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Tilak Varma and Shardul Thakur instead of Prasidh Krishna were among the expected selections as India announced their 15-member squad for the 50-over World Cup, beginning in their own backyard on October 5.

After deliberations with the team management of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar's senior selection panel sprang no surprises when the chief selector read out the team here on Tuesday afternoon. Rohit has an experienced and balanced bunch at his disposal as India seek their first global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

"Yes, that's the best we could do," Rohit said, expressing his happiness at the team he will shepherd, dismissing suggestions that he might be under pressure because of his team's extended title drought. "We looked at everything and every possible way of getting the players in. There will be players who will miss out but that happens in every World Cup. It's always a disappointment when some players miss out, but you can get only 15 in. There is so much talent in India. I have gone through it [left out for the 2011 World Cup], I know how it feels, so keep your chin up. For us, it was about balance and all-round options."

Having come through fitness drills at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, KL Rahul was drafted into the 15 as a wicketkeeper-batsman alongside Ishan Kishan. Rahul, who underwent surgery on his upper thigh earlier in the year, picked up a groin injury recently that initially prevented him from travelling for the Asia Cup, but he will now link up with the team in Colombo ahead of the Super Fours beginning later in the week.

Also read: We haven't been at our best: Rohit

"KL was part of the camp in Bangalore," Agarkar pointed out, alluding to the short camp in Alur before the team left for the Asia Cup. "He looked good there, he's an important player for us. KL's record in ODIs is brilliant. We have two good options."

With Thakur's inclusion, India have four all-round options including Hardik Pandya, and left-arm spin-twins Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Rohit was effusive in his praise of his deputy Pandya, who has had a very good Asia Cup already.

"You saw the quality in the last game against Pakistan," Rohit remarked of the right-hander's excellent 87 on Saturday, when he and Kishan rallied the Indians from a hole at 66 for four. "Ishan and Hardik put their hands up and scored well. Obviously, with bowling too, he's great. He has bowled well in the last year and a half for us. His form will be crucial to us. The way he batted in the last (Pakistan) game showed that he has a very mature head on his shoulders. In the last year or so, he has come good with the bat and his bowling has been good too. That's important for us."

India World Cup squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.