The build to the upcoming cricket world cup has allready started with less than four 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 Rohit Sharma is currently plying its trade in ODI preparing for the T20 series against New Zealand but their middle order stability seems to be the real problem. The inclusion of Hardik Pandya after his controversial comments on the chat show Koffee with Karan, has brought the right balance to the team.
Meanwhile former India cricketer turned commentator- Akash Chopra has donned the predictors hat and announced his 15 man India squad for 2019 world cup.
No Ravindra Jadeja in Akash Chopra’s squad
Chopra remains intact with the top three of the Indian team by picking Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli in his team. He felt that Ambati Rayudu’s gritty innings of 90 runs in the tough scenario of 5th ODI has allready earned him a place in the world cup squad.
“Rayudu was the last one to enter the race and it needed only a handful of good knocks to put him at the top of the queue. Late starters have a significant advantage while the team is closing in on a world event, for there’s hardly any time left for experimentation. There were some question marks about Rayudu’s efficiency in trying circumstances but the last game of this tour has sealed his place,” said Aakash Chopra.
Interestingly, Chopra has added three wicket-keepers in the squad by opting for MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik alongside Rishabh Pant, who can change the complexion of the game on his own.
The Agra born cricketer went onto say that Ravindra Jadeja does not fit in the team as he does not stand any chance to be more convenient option over two wrist spinners- Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. He opined that Jadeja could be added as an extra batsman in the team and preferred Khaleel Ahmed over him saying that the Rajasthan pacer adds extra variety to the team.
Akash Chopra’s 15-man squad for world cup
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.
