Rohit Sharma to Lead India’s Squad for ODI World Cup 2023: Suryakumar, Shardul included; Samson left out
A 15-person team for the ODI World Cup 2023 has been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Board took a risk by selecting wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul even though he missed the opening two games of the Asia Cup 2023 due to injury.
Tilak Varma, who was chosen for the 17-member India team for the Asia Cup, and Sanju Samson were both left off the 15-man World Cup roster. The selectors also passed on Prasidh Krishna, who made his ODI comeback after a protracted injury absence, in favor of Jasprit Bumrah, an elite pacer.
After chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that the World Cup squad would be chosen from the 18-member Asia Cup squad (including the reserve Samson), there were no surprises in the team selection.
“We have picked best possible combination. We have depth in batting, we have spin and other bowling options. Hardik Pandya is a complete package, his form will be crucial for us at World Cup” Rohit Sharma said.
Rahul was selected for the World Cup team after being deemed fully fit. The batter who serves as the wicketkeeper is also anticipated to travel to Sri Lanka and will continue to be a selection for India’s Asia Cup Super 4 games.
India’s Squad for World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Ajit Agrakar on India’s Squad for World Cup 2023
BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agrakar on KL Rahul’s inclusion from India’s Squad for World Cup 2023:
“There were a couple of fitness issues we had but all three players have come back, KL is looking good. We feel this squad gives us the best balance for this World Cup. KL looked really good there but picked up a niggle just before the Asia Cup. He has gotten over it. He is an important player for us and we are happy to have him.”
Also read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: All the squads in one place
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