World Cup 2019 India squad: Five talking points

India have selected their best 15 men to represent the nation in the ICC World Cup 2019 and the selection committee led by MK Prasad has made some shocking decisions.

We discuss the highs and the lows of Team India squad for the World Cup 2019.

#5. No fourth seamer-

When playing in England its a given that the onus of bowling department lies on the pacers. And given the flat surfaces it is vital to have a strong pace artillery.

India have a match-winner in the form of Jasprit Bumrah while Mohammad Shami is breathing fire recently. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has created a reputation for himself as well.

However with Hardik Pandya in, the team will mostly play two pacers in the playing XI and thus the selectors have discredited the option of fourth seamer.

#4. Rahul still has the confidence-

Despite a poor run in the last year, KL Rahul enjoys backing from the team and management and it is evident from the fact that he gets a place in India’s squad.

Well, there are strong reasons as well for his presence like his current IPL form.

On KL Rahul's role:

'To begin with, he will only be a reserve opener, but if the team management needs, he can bat in the middle order too'

Live blog: https://t.co/GN5GBjcPHu #CWC19 #WorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/eu79khTGDz

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 15, 2019

#3. Jadeja and Shankar as all-rounders-

The duo of Kuldeep and Chahal have won India several matches but their lack of batting skills makes it difficult for the team to play them together. This is where Ravindra Jadeja comes in.

Picking extra spinner (Jadeja) or a fast bowler since WC is in England will vex selectors. I’d plump for Jadeja and build Shankar as a fast bowling option for some overs regularly but admittedly tough call. What’s your squad?

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 15, 2019

His left-arm spin may not be as lethal as Chahal or Kuldeep’s wrist-spin but he gives the bonus of batting depth and is the best fielder in the country right now.

And then there is Vijay Shankar who did extremely well in the absence of Pandya in India’s national team. But his bowling seems uncooked and he may warm benches for sometime in the tournament if he isn’t India’s number four batsman.

#2. Karthik over Pant-

While Pant will be a bit confused given that he is the test keeper but has been left out on wicketkeeping skills, this caps an astonishing sequence of events for Dinesh Karthik. From being down and out in life to being at the World Cup. It is a story of hope.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019

This was one of the pressing and most discussed questions- Karthik or Pant as the second wicket-keeper. And here is the answer-Karthik.

Why? Maybe for his experience and Prasad made it clear that Karthik comes in the picture only if Dhoni is injured.

Let that sink in- Dhoni and injury. Good luck Karthik carrying the bottles in World Cup.

Check India’s full World Cup squad here 

#1. Rayudu dropped-

This is big and shocking. Although Rayudu’s recent struggles raised questions, his place was seen as a given atleast when Kohli had said that with Rayudu the middle-order looks more balanced and he played a lot of games in that position.

But the selectors have a different vision though. They have decided to neglect him which means the number four spot will be grabbed by a batsman who hasn’t batted there in the last year for a long time.