Dubai: An air of anticipation hangs heavy as the Indian selection committee meet in Mumbai on Tuesday to finalise the squad which will defend the ICC World Cup from next month.
Each slot will be have to be carefully filled as the recent Test series defeat in Australia has exposed the chinks in some of the players and the team’s inability to adapt to the conditions there. The selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil has shortlisted 30 players but according to information, Yuvraj Singh who is not among the probables, may even be considered. The 2011 World Cup hero has strongly announced his form through three centuries in domestic cricket and may come up for discussion as a potential replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who is nursing a shoulder injury.
The drawbacks in India’s bowling attack got exposed during the ongoing Australian series and the need for a matchwinner has come to the fore. Selectors will have to decide from medium pacers Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Sharma and Ashok Dinda. Except for Kumar and Yadav, whoever gets selected should consider himself lucky.
The spin attack will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin and the selectors may opt for experienced Amit Mishra as the second spinner rather than go for the inexperienced Karn Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav.
India will need strong starts and good totals considering the fact that their bowling attack is not a famed one. The team would need attacking openers and Shikhar Dhawan’s inconsistency may go against him. This leaves the inform Murali Vijay to open with the attacking Rohit Sharma as his partner.
With Virat Kohli at No.3, the selectors will have to choose between Ajinkya Rahane or Ambati Rayudu for the No.4 slot. Suresh Raina may keep his No.5 slot and that leaves out any scope for Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Manish Pandey to be considered.
If Jadeja fails in the race to get fit, Yuvraj may be considered as an all-rounder. The choice for another all-rounder could be from Axar Patel, Stuart Binny and Parvez Rasool and selector may once again repose their confidence in Binny.
Though Mahendra Singh Dhoni will don the wicketkeeping gloves, a strong second wicketkeeper is a must considering the fact that the Indian skipper, of late, has been hit by injuries. In a toss-up between Wriddhiman Saha, Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson, it is likely that Uthappa may get the nod as he can step in as an opener if any of the regulars fail.
