Published: Apr 15, 2019, 04:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 15, 2019, 04:25 PM (IST)
Putting an end to months of debate and speculation, the MSK Prasad-led selection committee on Monday announced the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales that begins on May 30.
While most part of the squad was predictable, a noteworthy exclusion was the absence of the talented wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who made way for the much more experienced and versatile Dinesh Karthik. Vijay Shankar also found himself in the squad and will most certainly occupy the hyped No. 4 slot. (CHECK OUT: Meet India’s 15-member 2019 World Cup squad)
Indian squad for the ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MSD (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Shami
Twitter was divided after the announcement was made at 3 pm on Monday afternoon. Many former cricketers and experts were divided on the Pant-Karthik debate which took centrestage on the eve of the announcement. Here are a few reactions:
India’s decision to omit Rishabh Pant a way of ensuring no pressure from below on their No1 wicketkeeper MS Dhoni? V strong squad nonetheless…
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1117739874495467520
Feel Rishabh Pant should have been included. #CWC19
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) April 15, 2019
India's squad is unsurprising – they have a strategy defined by caution in the middle order & they've opted for experience & stability over explosiveness & risk. That said, Pant's absence is a loss for the tournament: he's one of the most exciting players on the planet. #CWC19
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) April 15, 2019
Wasn’t Pant elevated to the top tier of the Central Contracts a few weeks back?? Not a certainty in two of the three formats. 😐🤨
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
Ambati Rayudu must be shattered though. His place was deemed certain and he had even quit 4 day cricket to focus on this. But form is such a cruel mistress. The harder he tried the more he seemed to struggle. My heart goes out to him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
While Pant will be a bit confused given that he is the test keeper but has been left out on wicketkeeping skills, this caps an astonishing sequence of events for Dinesh Karthik. From being down and out in life to being at the World Cup. It is a story of hope.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
Heartbreak for Pant. Karthik gets nod because of better keeping skills, just in case MSD is injured before a crucial match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 15, 2019
Understand the call made by the selectors. Gone with the experience of Karthik for a major tournament. In any event he or Pant were always likely to be reserves. This is a formidable team. Get the XIs right and they’re mighty strong contenders for the title. #CWC2019 https://t.co/oRLhs5LbHs
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) April 15, 2019
Then should’ve played him in the matches leading up to the World Cup. There’s a little thing called ‘planning’ 🤗🤔 https://t.co/g6XkRiPYKu
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2019
I would be disappointed though if India consider Kohli at 4. He is the best in the world at what he does and you don't move match-winners to accomodate others who aren't as good. https://t.co/KXfog85a5Y
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019
Had I been @RishabPant777 I would have been very, very angry. Very.
Irrespective of how they do in the World Cup, this has been a backward step.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) April 15, 2019
Kartik for Pant is the only debating point. Rest all on expected lines. If Pant keeps in test cricket can keeping be the issue? Or is it bec he is throwing his wicket away too many times?
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) April 15, 2019
I know Prasad said wicketkeeping, but I get the feeling that DK got the nod over Pant to hedge against the risk that India are taking by using Vijay Shankar at 4. Shankar's looked good and I'd pick him, but suppose he fails, DK coming in inspires more confidence than Pant.#CWC19
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) April 15, 2019
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