For the ODI World Cup, the selectors have once again expressed confidence in KL Rahul, who has been struggling with fitness for some time. On Tuesday, September 5, when the Indian team’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-member squad, he cited ‘better balance’ in the team as the reason behind Rahul’s inclusion. The same thing happened with Rahul before the T20 World Cup last year. Rahul was injured in the IPL this year and has not played any international matches till now.
In the last few years, Rahul has become such a player of the Indian team who has been included in Team India whenever he was available. It seems that the team management sees something special in him. That’s why he joins the team as soon as he is fit. Not only this, anyone is removed and given a place in the final eleven.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that there was no doubt about Rahul’s fitness. Even though he did not come to Sri Lanka with the Indian team. The 31-year-old player has regained fitness as a batting and wicketkeeper and will join the Indian team in Sri Lanka ahead of the Super 4 match against Pakistan on September 10.
Only two wicketkeepers could be kept in the team, so it was natural to select Ishan Kishan as the second wicketkeeper after KL Rahul, who has impressed with his performance in the West Indies tour and now in Sri Lanka as well. In such a situation, Sanju Samson was certain to be out as Rahul’s backup. In such a situation, there is still a question that who will get the opportunity as wicketkeeper in the team.
Will the team management give Ishan Kishan a chance in the playing eleven or will the left-handed batsman, who has been performing consistently, be dropped to replace Rahul? However, captain Rohit Sharma says that if the situation demands, both these players can be included in the playing eleven.
Trust continues on Suryakumar Yadav: Middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been included in the team despite not performing as expected in ODIs so far. Even on the West Indies tour, Surya’s performance was average. The team management has a lot of confidence in Tilak Verma, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Although there are many middle-order batsmen in this team.
Chahal ignored again: There is not a single right-arm spinner in this team selected under the leadership of Ajit Agarkar. The only wrist spinner in the team is Kuldeep Yadav. There are also Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department. Both of them are similar bowlers. Right arm leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has not got a place.
Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja have been included in the team as all-rounders. On the selection of Shardul and Axar, captain Rohit Sharma said, we wanted to bring depth in batting and bowling. With Shardul and Akshar in the team, our batting will be strong till number eight and nine. Both of them can score fast runs in the end, which will benefit the team.
Hardik Pandya’s form will be decisive: Rohit Sharma
Indian team captain Rohit Sharma said that vice-captain Hardik Pandya’s form in the World Cup will be decisive for the team. He is a player who excels in batting and bowling and this will be very important.
Hardik showed his class in the last match against Pakistan. On the possibilities of the team, Rohit said that there would be all kinds of possibilities. Every player will be available to play.
Player selection will depend on the form and the opposing team. It will also depend on how the runs are scored. Kishan played a brilliant inning in the first match of the Asia Cup. He performed very well in adverse conditions so it will depend on fitness and conditions.
