Ravi Shastri picks uncapped Indians who can break into World Cup squad, replace key injured players

The former cricketer believes that these young uncapped players can replicate their performance from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ravi Shastri picks uncapped Indians who can break into World Cup squad, replace key injured players

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has put forth a few names who he thinks can break into the World Cup squad immediately and can also replace injured key players. Shastri believes these uncapped Indians are mature enough to handle the pressure of even a World Cup. The former cricketer believes that these young uncapped players can replicate their performance from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Shastri picked Tilak Varma, Yashaswi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad to fit into the mix. The former India coach also looked impressed with Jitesh Sharma and Sai Sudarshan. However, Shastri felt India’s bowling attack is potent enough and won’t need any changes.

YouTube video

“I would put Tilak Varma, I would put (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, I would put Rinku Singh. (They) are the candidates who can really push through, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad (already played for India), who has been around for a while,” said Shastri, while speaking on the latest episode of ‘The ICC Review’.“One is (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, simply because of the way he has played this season. And for me, it is a marked improvement from what I saw from him last year, which is a very, very positive sign,” said Shastri about Jaiswal.

Related: Did Sanju Samson discover Yashasvi Jaiswal while eating pani puri? Check here to know the truth

“The other bloke is Rinku Singh, which is a great story. The more I see of him, that guy has got a fabulous temperament. He is tough as nails. Both of these guys have come through very hard backgrounds. They have worked very hard initially in their lives and nothing has come easy for them. So you can see that hunger, that passion, that drive that is so needed to make it to the top,” added the former Indian all-rounder.

Ravi Shastri feel likes of Tilak Varma are ready for the big stage

yashaswi jaiswal jitesh sharma

Ravi Shastri felt that players like Tilak Varma and Jitesh Sharma are ready for the big stage and can be tried if they continue to perform prior to the tournament.

“As far as batting goes, there’s Tilak Varma (274 runs in nine matches at an average of 45.66 with a fifty), there’s Jitesh Sharma (265 runs at an average of 22.08 and a strike rate of over 155) from Punjab (Kings) too who is a wicket-keeper-batter, who is pretty dangerous and has stood out,” Shastri noted.

“There’s even Sai Sudharsan (223 runs in six matches at an average of 44.60 with two fifties), a left-hander (who has also caught the eye). “These are the guys who can push for selection, depending on their form closer to the World Cup. And depending on injuries. If there are injuries to any key players, then these guys can come straight away into the mix,” Shastri said.

In case you missed!