- Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar have announced the 15-member team that will represent IND at the WC.
- There are hardly any shockers in the selection.
- As anticipated, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson have been left out.
- KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav have secured spots in India’s World Cup 2023 squad.
- Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravichandran Ashwin have missed out on selections.
- Harbhajan Singh surprised at the omission of ‘pure match-winner- Yuzvendra Chahal
- India will host the entire tournament for the very first time.
The Indian World Cup squad has been unveiled, and there are hardly any shockers in the selection. As anticipated, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson have been left out. Nevertheless, what truly catches the eye is the absence of an off-spinner. This squad places a heavy emphasis on strategic match-ups, and the omission of an off-spinner may prove to be a potential Achilles’ heel, especially when confronting left-handed batsmen at the crease.
KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav have secured spots in India’s World Cup 2023 squad, as officially unveiled by BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday. Notably, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravichandran Ashwin have missed out on selections.
The deadline for all cricket boards to reveal their squads is today September 5, precisely one month before the opening match of the tournament. While most teams have promptly finalized their 15-member squads, Team India chose to maintain suspense until the eleventh hour. This World Cup holds immense significance for India, as it presents a golden opportunity to secure the coveted 50-over championship, having come agonizingly close in the previous two editions. Moreover, history will be made this time, as India will host the entire tournament for the very first time, adding further weight to the stakes. After enduring a year filled with injuries and intermittent struggles, India finally boasts a squad of players who are free from the clutches of injury. The stage is set, and the anticipation is palpable as India prepares to embark on this historic journey.
Harbhajan Singh, a staunch supporter of Yuzvendra Chahal, expresses his ‘surprise’ at the absence of the leg-spinner from India’s World Cup squad. Once his name was omitted from the Asia Cup squad, did he ever stand a chance? What lies ahead for the leggie? Is this the end of the road, or will India utilize his talents exclusively in T20s? Many questions for Chahal and his supporters to contemplate.
Here is the squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
Notable players to miss out
Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin
Other absentees: Shikhar Dhawan, Mukesh Kumar, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant (Injured)
(With inputs from agencies)