India’s 30 probables for ICC World Cup 2015: No major surprises expected

India’s selectors meet on December 4, 2014, to pick the 30-man probable squad for the ICC World Cup 2015. Given the recent trends, with them maintaining stable line-ups for the A-side, one wouldn’t expect too many surprises in this list. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks a possible 30-man squad.

The countdown to the World Cup intensifies whenever the selectors pick the 30 probables. With a few months to go, one gets a fair idea as to who are in the scheme of things and who aren’t. While the regulars feature without any problems, the fringe players await their fate for it gives them hope of playing the big event. The Indian selectors will meet on December 4 to pick the 30-man probable squad, and the big focus is around some of the stalwarts who haven’t played for India in recent times. Here is CricketCountry’s attempt at picking the probable line-up.

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Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli walk into the list. The only competition would be outside this pool as to how many batsmen the selectors are likely to keep in their plans. Robin Uthappa, Kedar Jadhav and Manoj Tiwary should invoke interest given their recent performances. Murali Vijay has been the backup opener for a while. Manish Pandey and Karun Nair are two young batsmen who have impressed for India A in recent times and so has Unmukt Chand. Only one out of the three could possibly make it through. There is also a chance of perhaps a Cheteshwar Pujara making it to the preliminary list. Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir, India’s World Cup heroes will have an outside chance as their recent form hasn’t been very inspiring. Gambhir and Virender Sehwag even withdrew from the Deodhar Trophy.

Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni, the skipper, is a certainty, no doubt. Wriddhiman Saha and Sanju Samson, who have featured in India’s squad in the recent past should make the cut. Uthappa is another wicketkeeping option but selectors may majorly consider him as a batsman. Naman Ojha has been in great form this season and his exploits in the IPL also show that he is suited to the shorter versions. The great thing about India’s wicketkeepers is that they can all bat.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel were in India’s side during the home series. There is an interesting tussle between the two and it would materialise when the selectors have to select the final 15 a month from now. Stuart Binny will be named as the fast bowling-all-rounder.

Spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin is in of course. With Jadeja and Akshar in the setup, selectors get a chance to play around with their options and focus on other departments. Nevertheless, Karn Sharma and Amit Mishra, the two wrist-spinners, should be included as it gives India the option of taking their kind Down Under. Harbhajan Singh may not find himself in the side.

Fast bowlers: This should be the most interesting department for India with a plethora of options. The line-up currently in the Test side Down Under will make it in quite easily. As pace bowling options, India will have Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav. Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar cannot be ignored. Apart from that, India have played Dhawal Kulkarni off-late and he has done a decent job. R Vinay Kumar also made it into the side recently and may keep his place. Mohit Sharma and Ishwar Pandey should also interest the selectors as having those options ahead of the tournament in Australian conditions will bode well for India.

CricketCountry’s 30-man probable squad for India: MS Dhoni (c&wk), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson (wk), Stuart Binny, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Sharma, R Vinay Kumar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Naman Ojha, Murali Vijay, Manish Pandey.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)