Rahul set to find place in India’s World Cup squad; Sanju Samson misses out

Pallekele, Sep 3: Having received a clearance certificate on his fitness from the NCA, KL Rahul is set to be included in India’s 15-member provisional World Cup squad, which will be announced by Tuesday.
Rahul has been recuperating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru post a thigh surgery, and he will have one final round of fitness drills before flying out to Sri Lanka to join the Indian team for the ongoing Asia Cup.
It is understood that the NCA trainers and the team management have been left with little doubt after Rahul batted extensively at nets and in the match simulation process.
India is expected to announce their World Cup-bound 15 within the September 5 cut off date.
But the selectors decided to go ahead with the announcement after Rahul received the fitness clearance.
He can be expected to keep wickets too in the World Cup.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had reached Pallekele on Saturday, and it is understood that he held discussions with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid post India’s match against Pakistan, which was abandoned due to rain.
Ishan Kishan will be the second wicketkeeper in the side and his composed 81 against Pakistan on Saturday was the clincher.
It means that Sanju Samson will miss out on an India berth. Samson is in Sri Lanka with the Indian team as a travelling reserve.
Suryakumar Yadav too has found a place in the squad despite his less than satisfactory outings in the ODIs.
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami will handle the pace department. (PTI)
India’s provisional squad for World Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.