ICC World Cup 2019: Ishant Sharma and Axar Patel added in the standby list for the tournament

The MSK Prasad-led selection panel announced India’s 15-man squad for the World Cup on Monday and ever since then, the discussion is going on if this team can win the title. Apart from the squad, the selectors have also named the list of standby players comprising of Rishabh Pant, Ambati Rayudu and Navdeep Saini. However, two more names have been confirmed now and those are Ishant Sharma and Axar Patel both of whom are currently playing for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

“Ishant, Axar, Pant, Rayudu and Saini are aware that they have been named stand-by. The board has informed them about this and while four of them won’t be travelling with the team like Saini, they have been asked to be ready to jump onto the plane whenever needed,” the BCCI official was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

You cannot buy experience in market

The official further spoke about Ishant Sharma‘s selection out of nowhere. The lanky pacer has been a lead bowler for India in the Tests but was seen nowhere in the pecking order in the ODIs. The official pointed out the experience which Ishant brings to the team and termed it as a reason for his selection.

“You cannot buy experience in the market.  Moreover, Ishant has matured as a bowler and knows what is required of him. Considering the magnanimity of the tournament, it was felt that he could be the best bet to come in and soak the pressure that comes with playing for the country on the big stage. He has done it in the past and considering how he has excelled over the last year, he can do it again,” he said.

While speaking about the standby list, the BCCI functionary cleared that these were somewhat like-for-like replacements. “We were looking at two batsmen, two pacers and a spinner when we decided to name the stand-by players. As you are aware, this year’s format will see every team competing against every other team in the tournament and covering the bases is very important in such long format tournaments,” the official concluded.

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