KL Rahul has been earmarked for a spot in India’s ODI World Cup team despite remaining inactive from competitive cricket since May of this year. Being India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the format, Rahul is on the verge of setting his course for Sri Lanka for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, having cleared a fitness evaluation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on September 4.
The current squad of 17 in Sri Lanka will miss the presence of middle-order batsman Tilak Varma and speedy bowler Prasidh Krishna along with reserve player at the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson.
Ishan Kishan holds onto his position as an additional wicketkeeper-batter in the squad. Kishan accentuated his essential role by securing the highest score of 82, his fourth continuous ODI half-century, in India’s Asia Cup kick-off against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2, despite the match being cancelled due to rain.
Though Kishan’s exemplary performance raises the idea of his role as a specialized middle-order batter, Suryakumar Yadav has also been included in the squad of 15. Suryakumar, known for his exceptional skills in T20, presents average ODI stats, boasting an average of 24.22 runs with two half-centuries in 24 innings.
Rahul, who participated in an ODI last in March this year, sustained a tendon injury in his right thigh during the IPL, leading to surgical intervention in May. He was chosen for the Asia Cup team following thorough rehabilitation at the NCA while being excluded from the initial two matches due to a new injury development.
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chief selector, conveyed at a press conference that Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shreyas Iyer who suffered long-term injuries have shown promising recovery. He emphasized that Rahul’s inclusion affords the team the best balance.
As of last week, Rahul Dravid expressed satisfaction over Rahul’s healing progress and explained India’s ongoing ‘more cautious approach’ dealing with him. Rahul, since then, has been engaged at the NCA with chief physio Nitin Patel, testing his readiness level through match simulation exercises.
With Bumrah spearheading the pace attack, the team also includes Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami in addition to fast-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur. The team’s frontline wristspinner is Kuldeep Yadav, supported by left-arm spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. The squad doesn’t include a dedicated offspinner.
India is given until September 28 to make changes to the World Cup team originally due on September 5, without requiring ICC’s approval. This timeline allows India to utilize three more ODIs against Australia, post-Asia Cup, to offer players like Rahul and Iyer more gameplay. India is set to commence their World Cup battle on October 8 in Chennai, facing off against Australia.
India’s World Cup team:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj
