In a welcome change, chairman of the BCCI Selection Committee Ajit Agarkar has been with India Cricket Team for the ICC ODI World Cup. In fact, he has been with the team since Asia Cup. Unlike Chetan Sharma and Shhiv Sundar Das before him, the former Indian pacer-turned-selector has been involved with the team. He has travelled with the team to Delhi ahead of the IND vs AFG clash on Wednesday. A member of the squad will address the media on Tuesday before practice. Only Shubman Gill has not travelled.
India opened their campaign with a 6-wicket victory against Australia on Sunday. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli came to the rescue after India stumbled thrice in the first 10 overs. Their partnership laid the foundation for success while chasing a target of 200.
Why is Agarkar with Team India?
Since taking charge as the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar hasn’t had a lot of time. His immediate task was to pick the squad for Ireland tour and then Asia Cup and World Cup. While he has stuck to the process so far, Agarkar did push for Ravichandran Ashwin to make the squad with Axar Patel suffering an injury in Asia Cup.
But unlike his predecessors, he has been involved in the decision-making process.
With BCCI setting World Cup target for Team India, it is important for all the decision-makers to be on the same page. Agarkar as the chief selector will be able to take prompt calls if there is any further injury in the side.
With Shubman Gill suffering from dengue, there is a chance that India may call up a backup at any point. But who will be the backup is the question. Sanju Samson has been preparing for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And if Shubman does miss out, he could be called in. But the team management will give Shubman Gill the maximum time possible to recover. The tournament is long and Gill should be fit in a week or so.
No Shubman Gill in IND vs AFG
India’s rising youngster Shubman Gill will once again miss the game as he continues to suffer from illness. The BCCI on Monday confirmed that Gill will stay in Chennai and will not travel with the squad for IND vs AFG clash.
“Team India batter Shubman Gill will not be travelling with the team to Delhi on 9th October 2023. The opening batter who missed the team’s first fixture in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia in Chennai is set to miss the team’s next fixture against Afghanistan in Delhi on the 11th of October. He will stay back in Chennai and will be under the supervision of the medical team,” BCCI said in a statement.
In Shubman Gill’s absence, India is likely to stick with the same playing XI that they named in the World Cup campaign opener against Australia. Ishan Kishan will be the most viable option to open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. India will face Afghanistan on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
India Squad for Cricket World Cup 2023
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav
WKs: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (VC)
Seam all-rounders: Shardul Thakur
Spin all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Seamers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
~ With PTI inputs
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