India’s squad for ODI World Cup: Tussle between Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat as Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid almost finalize squad for World Cup

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack after returning from injury.

India’s squad for ODI World Cup: Tussle between Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat as Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid almost finalize squad for World Cup

Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat (Images via Hindustan Times, TOI)

India captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid have almost finalized India’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup slated to be played in October-November. The Indian team management has zeroed upon 19 names who are in contention to make it to the final 15 for the quadrennial showpiece event. Interestingly, it is between Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat for the fifth pacer slot while other slots look settled.

As per a PTI report, the pace unit looks decided with Jasprit Bumrah already making a comeback through the Ireland T20Is and now looks like a sure shot for the Asia Cup as well as the World Cup. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will be automatic selections while Hardik Pandya will be the fourth pacer in the lineup. For the fifth pacer’s slot, Takur and Unadkat will compete. 

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The report also claimed that Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal will compete for the third spinner’s slot with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadava taking the two spots. Patel seems to have an edge over the experienced leggie considering his all-round abilities although he offers the same skill set as Ravindra Jadeja. This means Chahal might miss out on another World Cup. 

Also Read: “MS Dhoni had a good team,” Yuvraj Singh backs Rohit Sharma for 2023 ODI World Cup amid criticism

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer expected to make the cut in India’s World Cup squad

KL Rahul Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer (Image via News18)

While the bowling unit looks somewhat decided, the real deal is selecting the backup players for the middle order in case KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer fail to make the cut in India’s World Cup squad. Although the two players are expected to be fit before the quadrennial showpiece event kicks off, both Rahul and Iyer will need some game time.

The team management also wants to check these two players’ match fitness, especially KL Rahul. The wicketkeeper batter will be needing to spend at least 70-80 overs and with Rahul having undergone a thigh surgery, it might be a problem. Rahul will have a chance to prove his match fitness through the Asia Cup and then the ODI series against Australia but only if he gets fit before that.

Otherwise, the backup options for India are Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as India need a wicketkeeper batter. Suryakumar Yadav will also be in contention considering he can play the finisher’s role with Hardik Pandya handling the middle overs. 

India’s core group for the World Cup squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal.

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