New Delhi: Going into the last ODI series before the upcoming World Cup — against Australia — India skipper Virat Kohli had said that Indian players’ performance in the IPL wouldn’t have any bearing with selection in the squad for the showpiece event.
But with none of the batsmen managing to secure the No.4 slot post the five ODIs against the Aussies, the players’ performance in the IPL will have a bearing on the minds of the selectors when they pick the squad for the World Cup mid-April.
The four primary contenders for the No.4 slot are Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
And it all now boils down to a consistent showing in the first half of the cash-rich T20 league. A good run here and one of these four will be rewarded with a ticket to England.
Speaking to IANS, a senior BCCI official said that recent performances have meant that the first month of the 12th edition of the IPL will have to be looked into when MSK Prasad and his team sit down to pick the squad for the World Cup. “With all the chopping and changing and experimentation and recent performances of the team, the No.4 slot is not yet sealed and if you ask me, a couple of other positions are also open since some players have not developed as well as one hoped over the last year. With the team selection slated for around April 20, the first month of the IPL will be crucial for the team selection for the World Cup,” the official said.
Echoing the sentiments, a source in the team management said that there are technically four batsmen who will be fighting it out for the slot and a good IPL for one of them will definitely make that player a favourite to seal the position.
“It was thought that the Australia series would help cement all spots for the World Cup. But that hasn’t happened and technically you now have four batsmen fighting for the No.4 slot. In fact, coach Ravi Shastri has even spoken of the option of having Kohli at 4, but that then depends on conditions and match situation. He won’t go into the tournament as India’s no.4,” the source said.
Every World Cup is known for left-field tactical moves and young Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar could well be the ‘joker in the pack’ if the Indian team management decides to try him at the tricky number four position in the upcoming World Cup.
If the 2003 World Cup was about Dinesh Mongia being used as a spin-bowling all-rounder at the expense of VVS Laxman, dropped from the squad altogether, the 2011 edition had Yuvraj Singh being used as a fifth bowler in every match, yielding 15 wickets.
Heading into the 2019 edition in England, India are faced with the No.4 conundrum and a clearer picture will possibly emerge after the first three weeks of the IPL. The squad will be announced between April 15 to 20. (Agencies)
