The build to the upcoming cricket world cup has allready started with less than three months left for cricket’s biggest extravaganza to begin in England and Wales. All the ten participating teams have allready started finalizing their 15-man squad for the event.
India led by Virat Kohli is currently plying its trade in the ODI series against Australia which will be their last bilateral series before the world cup. There are many questions for the team management to answer about the playing XI of the men in blue, especially the number four conundrum after the failure of Ambati Rayudu. Hardik Pandya’s injury has been another concern for the team management which may open doors for Vijay Shankar in the world cup squad.
Many former cricketers have also given their expert comment and predicted India’s 15-man squad for the marquee event. This time former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar announced his team for the show piece event.
No Ambati Rayudu in Manjrekar’s team
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the three straight choice in Manjrekar’s 15-man squad but the failure of Ambati Rayudu in the recent team has ousted him from the team. The Hyderabadi failed to fire in the ongoing Australia ODI series which raised eyebrows over his participation in the world cup.
Manjrekar picked Vijay Shankar in his team as his all-round skills in the 2nd ODI against Australia were praised by the cricket pundits. His bat did the talking and bowled the pressure last over and won the game for India by picking two wickets in three balls.
“After his 90 against New Zealand in Wellington, I was sure he had cemented his spot. But three low scores and the rise of Vijay Shankar thereafter have put his place in question,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying in The Times of India.
The former Mumbai cricketer picked Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul in his team ahead of experienced Dinesh Karthik. Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also finds a place in his team.
Manjrekar opines that Mohammed Shami should be the second choice pacer for the men in blue alongside Jasprit Bumrah owing to the poor form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the recent times. He further said that the current bowling attack is better than what Dhoni had in 2011 world cup.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s 15-man sqiad
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul.
