India captain Rohit Sharma has sort of justified the omission of Rajasthan Royals trio Sanju Samson, Prasidh Krishna and Ravichandran Ashwin. Having gone through the same emotions in 2011, Rohit explained saying they could only pick 15 members in India’s World Cup 2023 Squad.
“I have gone through it. I know how it is when you miss out. You have just to keep your chin up and look forward to the opportunities. But we can only pick 15 and this is the best available players for World Cup 2023,” Rohit Sharma said at the press conference for India World Cup squad selection.
Rohit Sharma also missed out on a spot back in 2011 WC squad selection. He too was disappointed. However, he did bounce back and 12 years later, he will be leading India in the World Cup at home.
Also Read: No Sanju Samson, KL Rahul returns: India World Cup 2023 Squad announced
India Squad for World Cup 2023 Highlights:
- Instead of Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav got the nod. Even though the Mumbaikar does not have the stats to back his claims in ODIs, he gets the nod for being the X-factor.
- Head coach Rahul Dravid and Rohit have great trust in his abilities to play as a backup option.
- However, it is almost impossible to get into the playing XI with Shreyas Iyer the favourite to play the role.
- The other factor that did not work out for Sanju Samson was his wicket-keeping skills.
- Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan gets the preference because he will be the only left-hander in the top or middle order.
- KL Rahul will be the main wicketkeeper-batter.
- However, despite having better stats than both Rahul and Ishan, Sanju misses out due to the fact that, he adds no additional value in bowling.
- World No 1 T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav only gets the nod because of his new role as a finisher. While fans may justifiably feel bad for Samson, it is the choice of the team management.
- The rest of the squad is exactly the same as Asia Cup squad.
- Prasidh Krishna misses out as Team India have preferred Shardul Thakur who can offer batting depth.
- Mohammad Shami will be crucial due to his experience.
- However, for the first time, India will play a World Cup at home without an off-spinner.
- With Tilak Varma cut from the Asia Cup, India have no other option as Ravichandran Ashwin is not in the plan for white-ball cricket.
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