The much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is around the corner and its fever is already touching the sky high. Several cricket experts are naming the pre-tournament favorites while some others are naming the squad of participatory teams. In this order, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin named the Indian team for the opening game of World Cup.
In Azhar’s team, both MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant features along with Kedar Jadhav to hold the middle-order. Dinesh Karthik couldn’t make a place in his team, while the top three of India remained untouched. He dropped Ambati Rayudu from his team and handed the much-talked number four position of the Indian batting line-up to Rishabh Pant.
Also Read: Harbhajan Singh dropped Rishabh Pant from his WC team
Talking to the Hindustan Times, Azhar named his playing XI for India’s opening game against South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami will hold the fast bowling fort for India while Hardik Pandya will be the lone fast-bowling all-rounder. Thus, Vijay Shankar failed to make a cut.
Furthermore, Azhar revealed that only one spinner should play for India in the marquee tournament and the team management can decide one between Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. His middle-order options are Rishabh Pant at number 4, MS Dhoni at number 5, Kedar Jadhav at number 6 and Hardik Pandya at number 7.
Mohammed Azharuddin’s Indian playing XI for WC 2019
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav /Yuzvendra Chahal
Meanwhile, the BCCI has announced the squad for India’s upcoming series against Australia at home. Leg-spinner Mayank Markande, on Friday, got picked for the two-match T20I series against Australia as skipper Virat Kohli returned to lead the side following a break.
Also Read: Indian squad for Australia series
Kohli had sat out the final two ODIs and the three T20Is against New Zealand but is back to lead the team in the entire series against Aussies.
