1/6/2015 World Cup 2015: Experts' picks - India's final World Cup squad

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World Cup 2015: Experts' picks - India's final WorldCup squad

Alagappan V

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Can MS Dhoni and Co. defend their World Cup crown?

With the national selectors set to announce the Indian World Cup 2015 squad on January 6, here is a

look at what our experts have to say on what the final 15 should be. Read on and vote for those whom

you agree with.

Note: Yuvraj Singh within brackets indicates that if Ravindra Jadeja fails to make it due

to fitness issues, the 33-year-old would be brought in.

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Openers: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma

Middle-order batsmen: Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu

Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni (Captain), Robin Uthappa

Spinners: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel

Fast bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav

Since June 1, 2013, Dhawan, Rohit, Kohli, Rahane, Raina, Dhoni, Ashwin, Jadeja, Shami and

Bhuvneshwar have all played more than 25 ODIs and are pretty much certainties in the final squad. This

leaves us with just 5 more spots to fill.

As far as the spare batsman is concerned, I’ve gone for Rayudu – as he made a strong case for himself

in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 250 runs at 62.50.

Although Ishant has had a moderate ODI career at best, his experience of playing in Australia and New

Zealand and a lack of other viable options prompts his inclusion in the squad. The other pacer in my

squad would be Umesh Yadav, as he provides a different dimension to the bowling unit when at his best.

Considering India generally play two spinners in their playing XI in ODI cricket, it was important to pick a

3rd spinner in the squad as opposed to another fast bowler. This spot eventually was a straight shoot-out

between Akshar Patel and Amit Mishra. While Mishra is a far more experienced spinner than the former

and provides more variation to the spin department, Akshar’s all-round capabilities led me to prefer him

over the leggie.

Finally, I’ve chosen Robin Uthappa as the backup wicket-keeper. He lends the squad a fine balance with

his ability to bat anywhere in the order in case of an injury or loss of form of one of the leading batsmen.

Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja (Yuvraj Singh), Stuart Binny

Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni (captain)

Spinners: Amit Mishra, Ravichandran Ashwin

Vivek Krishnan

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Yash Asthana

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Fast bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

The batting line-up seems settled, with the only bone of contention being which one between Rahane and

Rohit would open the innings with Dhawan. Rayudu has been a part of the ODI squads recently and has

impressed in the opportunities he’s got. I select him as the reserve batsman, and he will also serve as a

backup keeper to Dhoni.

Jadeja and Mishra edge out Akshar and Karn respectively because of their experience, and they will

form a spin-trio with Ashwin – which would offer a good variety of options to Dhoni to choose from.

The pace-bowling trio of Ishant, Umesh and Shami have been playing in the Test series in Australia, and

the three would form the pace bowling attack along with Bhuvneshwar who should recover from injury in

time for the World Cup.

The 15th spot in the squad goes to Binny, who will be a handy option to have in the squad with his all-

round skills.

Yuvraj Singh wasn’t in the 30-man probables list; however, with doubts over the fitness of Jadeja, there

could be a spot vacant in the squad. After some impressive performances in domestic cricket recently,

the hero of the 2011 World Cup might rise from the ashes, yet again, and make it to the World Cup.

Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu,

Ravindra Jadeja (Yuvraj Singh)

Keepers: MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha

Spinners: Akshar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin

Fast Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma

I would pick Dhawan over Vijay every single time. The clamour for Vijay in the side is as baseless as

saying Sunil Gavaskar would have been a great player in ODIs, just because he was a genius in Test

cricket – that too over a player who averages nearly 50 in the last two years.

Ravindra Jadeja is most likely out of the World Cup, and it is rumoured that Yuvraj Singh might take his

place. It could possibly be the best thing to happen for Indian cricket. Rahane should open; Rohit could

also do well at the top. However, when you look at what is best for the team, Rahane as an opener and

Rohit at No. 4 is likely to yield better results than vice versa.

Rayudu has done nothing wrong to get himself dropped.

Now, here is the tricky part. Saha should be preferred as a 'backup' keeper over Sanju Samson and

Siddartha Khandelwal

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Robin Uthappa, because he is in Australia for a while now and, for a reserve keeper, someone who is

better acclimatised to the conditions is a better option.

However, what would be perfect is that Rayudu, better than a mere part-time keeper, takes up the

responsibility in case anything should happen to Dhoni – and we play an extra seamer in Ishant Sharma

given the recent breakdowns all of the chosen fast bowlers have had.

A bowler already present in the squad will be preferred over calling one from India in case of an injury.

With respect to the choice of fast bowlers, a simple thumb rule is followed - faster the better.

Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu,

Murali Vijay

Wicket Keepers: MS Dhoni, Robin Uthappa

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ravindra

Jadeja

While the batting line-up more or less picks itself, there are a couple of interesting spots where the

selectors are likely to be divided. Murali Vijay, a man who can play the fast game, has shown exceptional

form in the Tests and, in my book, edges ahead of other contenders such as Manish Pandey and Manoj

Tiwary.

The other interesting spot is that of the reserve wicket-keeper, where Robin Uthappa, who has played 5

matches in the last year, should get the nod ahead of Sanju Samson and Wriddhiman Saha, on the basis

of experience alone. Raina, Rayudu, Rohit, Rahane and Dhawan will all keep their spots, offering options

for top 5 batting positions.

In the bowling line-up, I will pick four seamers and two bowling all-rounders. Ishant Sharma will miss out

considering both Umesh and Varun bowl quicker and have been impressive. Umesh Yadav has done

enough in the previous Test to go ahead of Mohit Sharma, genuine pace being a strength Down Under.

While Ishant will still be ahead of Shami in the Tests, the case is different in ODIs, given Shami is a slog-

over specialist, leading the wicket-taking charts in the last year. The lack of a genuine seam-bowling all-

rounder means that India will have to rely on spin-bowling all-rounders and go with three seamers in the

XI.

The impressive Axar Patel (14 wickets in 7 matches) and Ravindra Jadeja (25 wickets in 17 matches)

edge ahead of R Ashwin, though Ashwin hasn’t had a bad year in his own right. Axar has shown he can

Krish Sripada

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bat and bowl well. If Jadeja doesn’t recover on time, Ashwin would be taking up his place. Given Yuvraj

isn’t present even in the probables list, it is unfair to pick him directly in the final 15.

Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu,

Wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni, Robin Uthappa

Spinners: R Ashwin, Akshar Patel

Fast bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja (Stuart Binny)

It's fair to say that if Ravindra Jadeja is fit, then there are 13 players in the squad who pick themselves. It'll

come as a huge surprise if MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli,

Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, R Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami,

Umesh Yadav and Jadeja don't make the squad.

Considering India are likely to go in with 3 fast bowlers in every match, one expects one seamer to be

selected in the reserves. This is a straight shootout between Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron for me.

Playing Aaron, who is very erratic with his line and length, at a world event would be a very risky move.

Hence, I've gone ahead with the more experienced Ishant.

With the World Cup being a long tournament, it is necessary to go in two wicket-keepers. According to

ICC Rules, if a player is injured and a replacement is called in, then the injured player cannot play again

in the tournament even if he regains fitness. We cannot take such a risk with MS Dhoni as he is one the

most important members of the team. I would, therefore, pick Uthappa as a reserve. The Kodava lad can

also fill in as an opener or middle-batsman if required.

If Jadeja is ruled out of the World Cup, then I'd replace him with another all-rounder in Stuart Binny.

Batsmen: Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu

Nitin Fernandes

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Santosh Antony

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Wicket-keepers: MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson

Spinners: R Ashwin, Akshar Patel

Pacers: Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni

Murali Vijay at the expense of Shikhar Dhawan can be chastised on various counts, the most logical

among which would be the ‘do not pick a player for a particular format on the basis of performance in

another’ argument. I have given precedence to current form on pitches comparable to those in the World

Cup, over format-specific bracketing and indifferent ODI form in the past, to avoid the same mistake

committed by VVS Laxman’s omission in the 2003 tournament, one acknowledged by then skipper

Sourav Ganguly himself, as reported by TOI.

I do not expect any major upheavals in the remaining batting line-up, which has been fairly consistent

over the past year.

Akshar is my first-choice spinner due to a superlative 2014 across both shorter formats. Ashwin

displaces Jadeja as my second-choice spinner, due to the latter’s injury woes, and the growing influence

of Virat Kohli, who largely sidelined ’Sir’ when in charge during the home series in Lanka. Among the

pacers, Shami and Umesh make my list on merit; Bhuvneshwar and Ishant, on reputation alone.

Samson and Dhawal are the ‘expendables’ in my list. On current List A form (especially in the recent

Australian Quadrangular), they would be automatic choices. They will also be the first to lose out if

selectors opt for the luxury of an additional batsman or a third spinner.

Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay

Wicket-keepers: MS Dhoni, Robin Uthappa

All-rounders (spinners): Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja (Yuvraj Singh),

Fast bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Dhawal

Kulkarni

If Jadeja makes it, the squad will remain as it is. If he couldn’t and Yuvraj is brought in, Ravichandran

Ashwin will replace Murali Vijay to make sure the team has two frontline spinners in the squad.

Alagappan V

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Final XI: Rahane, Rohit, Kohli, Uthappa (as floater), Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja (Yuvraj Singh)/Axar, Umesh,

Shami, Ishant, Bhuvi

Dhawan averages 20.25 in New Zealand and 6 in South Africa. Let’s face it: he isn’t getting better, and

there is hardly any use in carrying him around with the World Cup in bowling friendly conditions. So, he

goes out. Rahane opens for me: he will be asked to bat at 75 SR and set the game up for Kohli and

Dhoni.

You are not going to give someone an ODI debut in the World Cup, no matter how talented he is. It rules

out Sanju Samson. With MS Dhoni in the team and all the frontline players looking for some quality match

practice ahead of the WC, he is not going to get a spot in the tri-series matches, either.

Saha belongs at the top of the order, and with that being packed, I don’t see how he will be of use.

Therefore, I would pick Uthappa over both. Guy can bat anywhere and smoke them around. I wouldn't,

however, use him as an opener on those decks.

Spinners aren’t going to win you matches in those conditions, and so it doesn’t make sense to carry

three of them. Dhoni likes to have two in the playing XI, which, mark it now, is going to cost us the Cup. I

would pick Axar and Jadeja over Ashwin. Ashwin averages 43 in Australia, 227 in New Zealand and 169

in South Africa. Why would I even want him?

Jadeja’s isn’t much better, but he can wield the long handle and has his mad-max moments where

nothing could stop him. Akshar is raw, has contained the best in the business, and thrives when there is

bounce on the wicket.

If Jadeja isn’t fit, Yuvraj makes the squad and the playing XI as well. He is still better than Rayudu and

Manoj Tiwary at 4 who can’t slog pacers and are as susceptible as Yuvraj when it comes to swing and

bounce. Kulkarni over Aaron, as one erratic pacer (read: Umesh Yadav) is enough for the squad. Ishant

does well when he isn’t used at the death.

Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayadu, Manoj Tiwary

(Yuvraj Singh)

All-rounder: Axar Patel

Wicket-keepers: MS Dhoni (Capt), Robin Uthappa

Spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra

Fast bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

Out of the 15, 10, in the form of Rohit, Rahane, Kohli, Raina, Dhoni, Ashwin, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and

Ritwik Mallik

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Umesh select themselves. So, it boils down to five selections that could have gone either way. I left

Shikhar Dhawan out despite his recent scores in ODIs purely because he has looked out of sorts in

Australia. His performances in ODIs in New Zealand and South Africa haven’t been inspiring, either. This

is where Uthappa’s selection becomes very important, as he lends a lot of depth to the side. He can

keep wickets, bat as the floater or even perform the third opener’s role.

Axar Patel has been chosen over Jadeja because of his better bowling and his batting in crunch

scenarios. Amit Mishra is a seasoned, wily leg-spin bowler who can be a handful in Australia. If fully fit, he

is a more dependable selection over the rookie Karn Sharma. Ishant Sharma has bowled well Down

Under and has lots of experience on his side that can stabilize a young and often erratic bowling line up.

Tiwary is my dark horse, selected as a backup for Rayudu, who has never played in Australia before.

Tiwary, having been a member of Indian touring sides to Australia since 2007/08, knows the conditions

well and has performed decently in the List A matches he played in 2014, both in India and abroad.

Although I have completely disregarded Ravindra Jadeja's selection, in the unlikely scenario of Yuvraj

being considered despite not being in the provisional squad, he would take Tiwary's spot in my 15.

Add a comment 29 comments

Ashwini Kumar · · Muzaffarpur

Playing xi-1)Dhawan2)Rohit3)Kohli4)Rahane5)Yuvi6)Raina7)Dhoni8)Ashwin9)Bhuvi10)Yadav11)Shami

Reply · Like · · Follow Post · 3 hours ago

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Asim Bisoi · Works at Student

Rahane should open...and instead of dhawan ,jadeja..I think it is the most balanced xi of India.

Reply · Like · 2 hours ago

Sai Kanna Naidu ·

Openers-dhawan,rohit,utappa,rahanemiddle order-kohli,raina,yuvraj,rayudu,Keeping -uttapa,dhoniAll rounders-binny,jadeja,ashwin,axarPace-binny,buvi,shami,umesh,ishanth,aroanSpin-ashwin,axar,jadeja

Reply · Like · · Follow Post · 5 hours ago

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R M Miraj Hussain · · Works at Mirpur University College

Gautam GambhirAjinkya RahaneVirat KohliAmbati RayduYuvraj SinghMS DhoniSuresh RainaAXAR PATEL

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AXAR PATELBhuvneshwar KumarMohammed ShamiUmesh Yadav / Mohit Sharma

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Arpan Sarkar · O level student at Student

India Teams In World Cup 2015

1)Ajinkya Rahane (Bat) 2)Rohit Sharma (Bat)3)Virat Kohli (Bat)4)Yuvraj Singh (All)5)Suresh Raina (All)6)Mahandra Singh Dhoni (C&Wk&Bat)7)Akshar Patel (Bowl)8)Ravichandran Ashwin (Bowl)9)Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Bowl)10)Ishant Sharma (Bowl)11)Mohammed Shami (Bowl)***Extra:-> 12)Gautam Gambhir (Bat)... See More

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Prashanta Garain · Student at IIT Kanpur

1.dhawan2.sharma3.kohli4.raina5.yuvraj6.dhoni7.rahane8.raydu9.aswin10.mishra11.sharma12.shami13.yadav14.bhuvaneswar15.uthapa

Reply · Like · Follow Post · 2 hours ago

Devesh Pathak · · Burhanpur, India

1murli vijay2 dhawan3virat kohli4yuvi5 raina6ms dhoni7 ravindr jadeja8bhuvneshwar kumar9 umesh10 aswin11 patel12ishant sharma13 shami14 rohit sharma15 rahane

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