DOHA: Senior all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal were excluded from the 15-member Indian squad for the World Cup.
A glance at the team would reveal that the Indian selectors have pinned their faith in all-rounders — Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur.
It’s still remains a mystery as to why Ashwin missed out while the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee showed faith in KL Rahul, whose suspected fitness level is still a concern for the team.
The Karnataka wicketkeeper-batter last played for India in March this year, and he was even included in the Asia Cup squad. Rahul picked up a niggle and was replaced by Ishan Kishan, who impressed with his 82 runs against Pakistan in the ongoing continental competition.
Speedster Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace battery with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are the other two frontline pacers.
Kuldeep Yadav is the only frontline wrist-spinner in India’s squad.
SQUAD: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
