The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee has reportedly picked the 15-member Team India squad for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023. The squad doesn’t include the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson both of whom had not got a place in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 squad as well.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Ajit Agarkar flew to Sri Lanka to meet skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid and picked the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. The meeting was held on September 2 after the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 clash in Pallekele, which was called off due to rain.
Team India World Cup Squad: KL Rahul finds a place, Sanju Samson misses out
As per the report, KL Rahul’s fitness was discussed in the selection meeting and he is expected to regain match fitness by the time the World Cup begins on October 5. Ishan Kishan has retained his spot as the back-up wicketkeeper and hence Sanju Samson didn’t find a place in the 15-member squad.
KL Rahul was ruled out of Team India’s first two games in the Asia Cup 2023 due to a niggle. However, the experienced keeper-batter is likely to join the Indian team in Sri Lanka soon for the Super Fours Stage of the tournament. Shreyas Iyer too has retained his place in the team after regaining his fitness.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who’s been Team India’s leading spinner for quite some time now is left out as well. Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been preferred over Chahal courtesy of his recent form and the variety he provides to the bowling lineup.
While Chahal couldn’t make it to the 15-member squad for the marquee tournament, the selection committee has included 4 all-rounders in the team. Along with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur have been picked as the team management continues to focus on batting depth.
Young Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna both of whom are a part of the Asia Cup 2023 squad have been excluded from Team India World Cup squad. There are no surprise picks in the pace attack which comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
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Team India World Cup squad (As per reports)
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.