Cup in mind, India to name squad
With five ODIS left before the mega event, selectors are likely to pick a full-strength side vs Australia
MUMBAI: Having tried out all possible players and combinations, the playing XI and the back-up options for the 2019 World Cup are all but firmed up in the minds of the captain, coach and the selectors. When the MSK Prasad-led selection committee sits down on Thursday to pick the squad for the five-match ODI series against Australia, it will be with the intention of putting out their full strength squad in what is the final dress rehearsal for the 50-over mega event starting on May 30.
At the most, the selectors may look at one or two spots to clear their doubts. One of them could be to have a back-up option in the pace department or to have a left-arm pacer for variety, where their original plan of experimenting with Khaleel Ahmed hasn’t fully paid off. With the Rajasthan pacer still far from a finished product, and at the same time Jaydev Undakat having done well at the domestic stage, the Indian think-tank is tempted with the idea of checking out the seasoned Saurashtra pacer against the Australians.
UNADKAT FACTOR
Unadkat was the standout performer for his state team, Saurashtra, taking 39 wickets as his team finished runners-up to Vidarbha. The Ranji tournament is a different format, but he is highly rated in white ball cricket as well, being much in demand in the IPL as a deathovers specialist.
Unadkat has the variations, he is in form and the quality which the selectors will be looking to monitor is his temperament in handling the pressure of international cricket. However, the left-arm paceman’s previous India appearances should help him in that aspect.
The other position where the selectors could still be undecided is the back-up wicketkeeper’s position, where it is a straight contest between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. The selectors’ original choice was Karthik, which is why they have retained him in the squad continuously in the lead up to the World Cup.
It will look silly to have three wicketkeepers in the squad like India did on their last tour, but Pant has posed a dilemma for the selectors by producing performances which are difficult to ignore, in Tests and T20 games. The ODI series against Australia that starts on March 2 will help the selectors firm up their choices.
ROHIT SHARMA
The world’s best ODI opener right now and also one of the best tacticians in the game, Rohit is indispensable. Virat Kohli’s deputy is also the only player in the current squad to have scored an ODI double hundred.
MS DHONI
Back in rhythm, the most experienced player in the side is still brilliant behind the stumps. He also provides valuable inputs to bowlers and the captain. For India to win the Cup, Dhoni needs to have a good dress rehearsal here before IPL.
MOHAMMED SHAMI
A strike bowler, he regained ODI rhythm in Australia and New Zealand to be named Man-of-theseries. His ability to crank up pace makes him unpredictable to batsmen. His workload will have to be managed with IPL in between.
PANDYA FAVOURITE
Vijay Shankar did well in New Zealand but with original choice for the all-rounder’s spot, Hardik Pandya, back, the selectors may find it difficult to accommodate him. Pandya has the edge in bowling as well due to his extra pace and experience.
There are about 50 days to go for the World Cup squad announcement deadline, April 23.
The series starts with the two
SHIKHAR DHAWAN
As a left-handed batsman, Dhawan complements Rohit and helps disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm. Dhawan has another chance to hone his skills before going back to the country where it all started for him in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
KEDAR JADHAV
Provides crucial balance to the team with his parttime off-spin. His flat, round-arm deliveries are difficult to pick. As batsman, Jadhav can adapt to any situation in the middle-order, stay on or attack and finish the game. Has two ODI centuries.
KULDEEP YADAV
The wrist spinner can get wickets on any surface. However, the chinaman bowler started his tour of England last year on a brilliant note but was found out towards the end. He will be wiser by that experience. Has done the best bowling with Chahal.
RAVINDRA JADEJA
A back-up spinner, he also provides batting balance. He should be given a run considering his good record in England (281 runs in 17 games, avg 70.25.). Jadeja can make it purely on the basis of his fielding ability. T20IS and Prasad’s committee is likely to rest a few key players for that. Opener Rohit Sharma is likely to be given a muchneeded break, and so too MS Dhoni. KL Rahul is expected to be back in the mix as he will be important as a back-up opener.
PACE SPEARHEAD
In the pace department, refreshed after a break, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah should be picked to team up with Moham-
KL RAHUL
The back-up opener is a gamechanger in white-ball cricket. He has hundreds in all three formats. He hasn’t played many ODIS though in the three years since his 2016 debut and that could be a factor hurting his confidence.
HARDIK PANDYA
The best all-rounder in the team, he needs to be managed well. His medium pace is more effective in short bursts while his hitting skills as a lower-order batsman lends further depth to an already strong batting line-up.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
The leg-spinner varies approach according to the wicket, and has the ability to run through the side when in form. Like Kuldeep, Chahal too needs to show he has learnt his lessons after last year’s England tour produced mixed results.
RISHABH PANT
Dinesh Karthik is experienced and can finish games but his young counterpart can turn any match on its head with the bat. High on confidence after his Test exploits, he can be the X factor. med Shami. If the selectors choose to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar then Umesh Yadav could get a look-in as a reward for his fine Ranji Trophy showing.
Apart from the T20 games, the team is likely to be for the first three ODIS before the selectors will again take a call on resting some players depending on the feedback received on their workload.
After sealing the series wins
VIRAT KOHLI
Captain. The No 1 batsman in the world has no competition when it comes to chasing down targets. At 30, Kohli is at his batting prime, and possibly at his most mature level as captain after winning the Test and ODI series in Australia.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
The No 1 bowler in white-ball cricket with pace, control and variations. His rise has been phenomenal considering his Test debut a year back. An unorthodox action and ability to learn quickly makes him a pacer any team will die to have. in Australia and New Zealand, India are billed as one of the World Cup favourites.
Since the defeat to Pakistan in the
2017 Champions Trophy final, India have won 11 of their 12 ODI series.
AMBATI RAYUDU
Has established his credentials at No 3 or in the middle-order whenever given a chance. He was part of the 2015 World Cup squad but didn’t get a game. This series is another chance for him to ensure that is not repeated.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR
What he lacks in pace is made up with swing, an asset to have in England. Although he should enjoy those conditions the most, the team management knows he is effective when utilised smartly.