World Cup 2019: MSK Prasad names Team India's No.4 batsman for the tournament

Indian selectors named the 15-man squad for the World Cup 2019. The team led by Virat Kohli will attempt to win back the title having previously succeeded in doing so at home back in 2011. There were hardly any surprises in the squad but one question on who takes the No.4 slot was answered by the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad.

The squad doesn’t include the name of middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu who was for a substantial period backed for the slot and Prasad was asked about it. The selector clarified that they tried quite a few options from the Champions Trophy that was played in 2017. Rayudu amongst them had got a few additional chances and was the brightest prospect but he wasn’t quite able to cement the slot.

Shankar first choice for the No.4 slot

Vijay Shankar who has been picked instead is a batsman who can bowl and of late has really grown into the role. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder came into the picture as a replacement for Hardik Pandya but has impressed the team management as well as the selectors with his ability to play a levelheaded knock and how he managed to change the gears when it mattered. The fact that he is a really good fielder and can give them a few overs if required added a lot of value to his case.

“After the Champions Trophy, we tried quite a few people [at No.4]. We gave a few more chances to Rayudu. What Vijay Shankar brings is three dimensional. We are looking at him at no. 4 to begin with,” MSK Prasad said after announcing the squad in Mumbai.

He also mentioned that Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul are the other two options for the middle-order slot but that only in case the team management wants to make a change. Shankar is their first choice No.4 batsman heading into the tournament.

“To begin with, KL Rahul will be reserve opener. If need arises the team management will take a call on him playing in the middle-order,” Prasad further said.

Here India’s World Cup 2019 squad: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.

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