Kumar Sangakkara feels India have a very settled squad for the 2019 World Cup
“Hardik Pandya is going to be very crucial for them in the all-rounder role."
The Asia Cup 2018 has served as a great reality check for all the Asian teams, to see where they stand ahead of the mega event next year, which is close to nine months away. While Pakistan and Sri Lanka have plenty to worry about, Afghanistan showed promise in the way they fought their games till the end.
Bangladesh, who are currently playing the final against India, have shown great determination to lift the cup, even in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. As for India, they have got almost all their questions answered, except for the number 4 conundrum which is yet to be solved.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer, Kumar Sangakkara feels that India have a very strong team for the World Cup, as is evident from the way they have played in the Asia Cup, defeating Pakistan comprehensively in both the games. The batsman and bowlers, both have delivered and the fielding has also been impressive. Sangakkara thus feels that the Indian think tank should not fiddle too much with the team selection.
“India has got a very settled squad. I don’t think they need to make too many changes going into the 2019 World Cup. They have got the senior core group well in hand. MS Dhoni has been outstanding for them. Virat Kohli is brilliant. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan have also delivered. So India just need to find that one person for the number 4 position,” he told ESPNCricinfo.
Hardik Pandya will be crucial as an all-rounder
The legendary batsman, who is also the all-time leading wicketkeeper with the most number of dismissals in ODIs, also said that Hardik Pandya will be crucial to India’s World Cup campaign as an all-rounder.
“Hardik Pandya is going to be very crucial for them in the all-rounder role. They have got a brilliant bowling attack as well. So I think India will be high on confidence going into the World Cup.
I think it is just about settling down and not making too many changes because sometimes it affects the players. Unknowingly it affects the players’ confidence. So just pick the best ones and settle down on a side,” he concluded.
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