KL Rahul Secures World Cup Squad Spot After Recovery
India’s World Cup squad features KL Rahul, despite his absence from competitive cricket since May this year. Rahul, the preferred wicketkeeper, is set to join the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka after passing a fitness assessment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on September 4.
Tilak Varma, a middle-order batter, and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna are the two players from the current 17-member squad in Sri Lanka who did not make the cut, along with Sanju Samson, serving as a reserve player at the Asia Cup.
Squad Selection and Key Players
Ishan Kishan retains his place as one of the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad alongside Rahul. Kishan demonstrated his worth by top-scoring with 82 runs, marking his fourth consecutive ODI half-century, during India’s rain-affected Asia Cup opener against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2.
Despite Kishan’s impressive form, the selection committee also included Suryakumar Yadav in the squad, despite his moderate ODI record, boasting an average of 24.22 with two half-centuries in 24 innings.
Rahul, who last played an ODI in March, suffered a tendon tear in his right thigh during the IPL and underwent surgery in May. He was initially selected in the Asia Cup squad after undergoing extensive rehabilitation at the NCA but was later ruled out of the first two matches due to a new injury.
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chief selector, provided an update, stating, “KL is looking good. We feel this gives us the best balance to try and do well. He played a couple of games over the last two days, keeping for 50 overs and batting for around 50 overs too, so he looks good, and we’re happy to have him.”
India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, expressed satisfaction with Rahul’s recovery last week and mentioned a cautious approach. Since then, Rahul has been working at the NCA, where he had a match simulation exercise to assess his readiness.
Insight into India’s bowling and spin options for the World Cup
Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack, joined by Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur. Kuldeep Yadav serves as the frontline wrist-spinner, while Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and 8
Pandya provides all-round options. The squad lacks an offspinner.
Agarkar commented on the spin options, saying, “In 50 overs cricket, perhaps you would ideally want an offspinner, but this gives us the best balance. Seamers tend to bowl a lot more in ODIs as compared to T20 cricket, and perhaps you’re a little more under pressure if you don’t have an offie, so we’re happy with the guys we have.”
While the ICC’s deadline for submitting the World Cup squad is September 5, teams can make changes until September 28 without requiring ICC approval. This allows India three more ODIs against Australia after the Asia Cup to provide additional game time for players like Rahul and Iyer. India’s World Cup campaign begins on October 8, facing Australia in Chennai.
India’s World Cup Squad
- Rohit Sharma (capt)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya (vice-capt)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
