On September 5th, the Chairman of Selectors, Ajit Agarkar, officially unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup in a press conference. Agarkar provided insights into the meticulous selection process, highlighting the key decisions that shaped the squad. He also addressed player fitness and injuries.
Ajit Agarkar began by discussing the inclusion of KL Rahul, stating that Rahul’s form and performance in practice games had been reassuring. He mentioned Rahul’s ability to both bat and keep wickets for extended periods, a crucial factor for his selection.
“A lot of the guys picked themselves. There were some fitness issues, which we had to look into. All the three guys are okay. This squad gives us the best balance. Rahul has played a couple of games over the last two days (practice games),” Ajit Agarkar remarked, underscoring the significance of player fitness in crafting a well-rounded team.
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Regarding the selection of Ishan Kishan, Agarkar described it as a “nice headache to have,” highlighting Kishan’s impressive performances. He acknowledged the competition between Kishan and another player for a spot in the team and left the final decision to the coach and captain.
“Kishan played very well. We are happy to have two options, which will fight for a spot in the team. The coach and the captain will decide (who will play),” he added.
Captain Rohit Sharma also weighed in on the selection process, acknowledging that tough decisions were inevitable when choosing a 15-member squad from a pool of talented players.
“There will be some missing out, and that happens every time. We can fit only 15 players. We looked at how to create a good balance, and this is the best we could get,” Rohit Sharma explained.
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Sharma emphasized the importance of competition within the squad, stating that it’s a positive sign when players are fighting for their spots. He elaborated on the factors considered during team selection, including player form, the opposition, and the team’s needs for each match.
“As the marquee event starts on October 5th, India is all set to kickstart their World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia on October 8th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai,” Rohit Sharma added, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting cricket spectacle.
