The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today decided to overlook past glory and bank on fresh blood with eleven out of the 15 members, playing their maiden World Cup, scheduled from February 14 in Australia and New Zealand.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin are the only survivors from the squad that lifted the trophy on home soil four years ago.
With three spinners in the seamer-friendly tracks of Australia and New Zealand, the team looks far from impressive. With a settled batting unit, India’s main concern will be the bowling department, especially the death overs.
Despite smashing three centuries in the Ranji Trophy, last month, Yuvraj Singh’s name started doing the rounds in the past few days, but the veteran all-rounder, failed to make the cut.
Former India stumper Syed Kirmani also backed Yuvraj’s selection in the side.
“If it had been my team I would have had Yuvraj Singh on it. Well surprises are always there,” Kirmani said.
“I think its a wonderful, well balanced team. I wish them the best,” added he.
The southpaw’s father Yograj Singh, also said he was not disheartened and the selectors must not be condemned. “Nothing to be disheartened, BCCI shouldn’t be condemned. I salute Yuvraj Singh, a person who has survived cancer is playing this well; it is commendable,” Yograj said.
Here’s a look into the team:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain): The Ranchi dasher may have retired his whites, but he is still undeniably, India’s best player in limited overs cricket.
Criticised for being too defensive in Test cricket, Dhoni has mastered the art of winning matches in the shorter format, be it with the bat or while donning the captain’s hat. Ravichandran Ashwin: The offie from Chennai played a limited role in India’s 2011 triumph, but he will be the team’s leading spinner in 2015.
Ashwin often goes for runs, but has the knack of picking up crucial wickets. His batting lower down the order will also come in handy.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja is the perfect embodiment of the modern-day limited overs cricketer. Equally effective with bat and ball, along with being a live wire in the field, Jadeja is one of the most important players in India’s ODI set-up. His fitness will be the only worry.
Stuart Binny: The other all-rounder in the squad, Binny’s performances since his debut last year have been largely unimpressive. But on pitches that will assist fast bowlers, his seam-ups may be useful. However, it is difficult to see him dislodge Jadeja from the playing eleven.
Axar Patel: After impressing in the Indian Premier League, Patel has made the transition from domestic to international cricket with ease.
A promising left-arm spinner. Patel will find it challenging to bowl on pitches that traditionally do not offer much to the spinners.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: A talented seam bowler who can move it both ways, Kumar will lead India’s bowling attack at the World Cup.
However, due to his lack of pace, Kumar often struggles on flat decks. He must also work on his death bowling.
Mohammed Shami: Shami is one of the few bowlers in India who can move the ball at pace. Also a skillful exponent of reverse swing, Shami will be entrusted with the task of containing opposition batsmen during the slog overs.
Ishant Sharma: With Sharma, it’s either the sublime or the woeful. Striking a balance between things in clearly not one of his fortes. The bouncy pitches at the World Cup will aid his style of bowling, but he must not overdo the short ball.
Umesh Yadav: Yadav may be the one of the fastest bowlers around, but his erratic bowling often spells trouble for the Indian team. However, his ability to bowl yorkers at the death should ensure him a place in the eleven.
Virat Kohli: Arguably the best batsman in the world at the moment, Kohli will be India’s main man at the World Cup. Equally adept at handling both pace and spin, a strong tournament for Kohli will bolster India’s chances of going all the way.
Suresh Raina: Over the last couple of years, Raina has established himself as an ODI specialist. Electric in the field and a deadly finisher with the blade, Raina has become one of the mainstays of the ODI team. However, his susceptibility to the short ball may trouble him in Australia and New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma: His Test form, much like some of his teammates has been abysmal. But its the limited overs format that Sharma revels in. Fresh from a historic 264 against Sri Lanka, Sharma has fitted into the opener’s role well and will be relied on for strong starts.
Shikhar Dhawan: After a prolific 2013, the man with the twirling moustache endured a dismal run with the bat in 2014. A poor player of swing bowling, Dhawan will be put through a stern test on the fast and bouncy pitches of Australia and New Zealand.
Ajinkya Rahane: After being a fringe player for so long, Rahane seems to have grabbed his opportunity with both hands. The Mumbaikar, who possesses a wide repertoire of shots can operate both in the middle-order as well as the back-up opener.
Ambati Rayadu: From the clutches of the now defunct Indian Cricket League to playing for India, Rayadu’s comeback to the national fold is laudable. Rayadu may not be an automatic choice in the eleven, but is more than a capable back-up wicketkeeper-batsman. (AGENCIES)
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