India's Predicted 15 Member Squad For World Cup 2019

15 April 2019, Monday, the day every cricket fan is looking forward to. As, on 15 April in Mumbai, BCCI will announce the final 15- Member Squad for Cricket's Biggest Event, ICC Cricket World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled to be organised in England and Wales, and will commence from May 30. India will play it's first match on 5th June against South Africa.

Though the team is almost finalised and there are only 2-3 positions up for grab. The final selection will depend upon the playing conditions in England. Though it was said that IPL performances will be considered for selection. But it doesn't look so. As Bhuvneshwar  Kumar, who is India's go to bowler in death overs and swinging conditions has gone for plenty in death overs in this year's IPL. Also, India's Opening due hasn't scored much for their team in this edition of IPL. So it's look highly unlikely that the selection will be made on the basis of IPL. Also, you can't select a squad for 50 overs based on their performance in 20 overs game. Fifty over match is totally a different game. 

15 member squad can be divided in 2 parts. First list includes players who are surely gonna be part of 15 member squad , Second list includes players who will be considered for selection but out of them only 3 stand a chance to be included in the final fifteen.

So let's have a look at the lists for World Cup:

1. Players who are definitely getting the ticket for World Cup

a) Virat Kohli and M.S. Dhoni

Virat Kohli, world's best batsman, India's Captain, No: 1 ranked ODI batsman, batsman with most centuries among active players, most centuries by any player in last 2 year in international cricket, his qualifications can go on and on. You can't keep a batsman of  such  a calibre out of team. He is surely your first choice going into the World Cup.

M.S. Dhoni, India's most successful captain, best wicket keeper, the greatest finisher, the master mind and currently India's most experienced player. India will definitely need his services in the World Cup as no one analyses the situation better than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. His field placements and tips from behind the wicket proves words of wisdom. The Indian Batting order revolves around him. His mere presence at the wicket proves to be a difference in body language of each and every individual in the ground. You can't imagine a team without MS in the world cup.

     b) Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit Sharma, men with 3 double centuries, is highly unlikely to be missed from the team. Though he recently suffered a hamstring injury before their recent match against King's XI Punjab, but he will be fit to be part of the team. To speak of Dhawan, he hasn't performed well till now in this edition of IPL and there are many people doubting his selection. But they as a pair have a proven track record at the top and they will surely be India's first choice openers. Other thing that will be in their favour will be that their opening record gets better in an ICC event. So, chances of their scoring big at top are high.

c) Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in last 2 years have become India's best spinning duo. They are India's best wrist spinners. There record in middle overs is outstanding. Not only they get important break through in middle overs but are also able to control run flow in that period. If a spinning track is given in a match then surely both will be included in the playing XI. 

d) Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami 

Since his debut in international cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is carrying the load of Indian pace bowling on his shoulders. He is India's go to bowler. He bowls excellent yorkers and slower balls at the death. Whenever team needs him, he delivers. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is India's other best bowler at the death. His slower and knuckle ball aren't easy to pick. He delivers well in his opening overs, giving India early wickets. Apart from his bowling, he has also delivered with bat in tough situations and will surely be India's number 8. With his bowling suiting England's swinging conditions, he will be a guaranteed pick in the playing XI. 

Mohammed Shami has solved India's problem of the third pacer. With his recent performance in Australia and New Zealand, he has cemented his place in the team. With conditions supporting pace bowlers in England, we might see him too along side Bhuvi and Bumrah in the playing XI.

e) Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will too make it in the 15 man squad to world cup. All rounder capability they have, is the thing which will be needed in the world cup. Jadeja has made a comeback in the Odi setup after 15 months and has improved the standard of his game. Hardik provides the team a genuine fast bowling all round option, a player each team wants to have. His hard hitting power, is a thing which can't be questioned. Apart from their batting and bowling capability, they are excellent fielders too, which proves to be a great bonus in last 10 overs of innings. 

f) Kedar Jadhav 

Kedar jadhav has been India's regular player now and has cemented the number 6 slot. He proves to be a great asset in end overs, scores quick runs and attack spinners really well. Apart from that, he is India's 6th bowling option. His low round arm action isn't easy to pick. He has deceived many with his bowling action and has won several matches for India by picking keys wickets at crucial junction and by giving away only a handful of runs. He is known as man with golden arm and a partnership breaker.

2. Players who stand a chance to be in the World Cup Squad

a) Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant

India will need a second wicket keeping option, and one of them will be given the ticket to world cup. Though Karthik has performed really well in T20I but he hasn't scored much in ODI's. Rishabh Pant is given few opportunities in ODI's but he hasn't proved himself in those matches. So, it will be a tough choice for selectors to choose between Experienced Karthik and Young Pant, as both of them have great hitting power and can prove dangerous in end overs.

b) K.L. Rahul and Ambati Rayudu

Number 4 position, which is still not sealed , for that there will be a tough competition between Rahul and Rayudu. If recent form is considered then, chances of selection for Rahul are higher than Rayudu. But  you never know as final call will be taken by captain and selectors. We might see both in the team. Rahul taking the role of third opener while Rayudu going with Number 4 position.

c) Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar who is a fast bowler all rounder could have been a good choice along side Pandya in the world cup. But in international cricket, he isn't given much bowling opportunities. In most games, he was included as a specialised batsman. Though he has performed really well with bat in limited opportunities given to him, chances of him coming as a specialised batsman are bleek. It will be interesting to see if he is given a chance in the world cup. Though he will be kept as a reserve in case a player is injured in the world cup.

d) Shubman Gill

Another player who stands a outside chance of qualifying in the team is Shubman Gill. He is the only player to have a average of more than 100 in youth cricket. He has played only 2 international games, that too in tough swinging conditions( last 2 Odi's in New Zeland in 2019), as a result he couldn't score much. Had he be given more opportunities he would have definitely be in Indian World Cup Squad.  If I was to select the team then I will surely go with him, giving him the number 4 slot in the team.

So, my team for world cup will be

Virat Kohi, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, M.S.Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar

The expected team selection of BCCI will be

Virat Kohi, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, M.S.Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul

What's your team for the World Cup?