Every other news in India took the backseat when Sanjay Patel, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. From speculations about Yuvraj Singh’s selection to outrage on Stuart Binny’s inclusion, the day was full of ups and downs.
But now, the final fifteen have been announced and these players will defend India’s glory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The Cricket Lounge’s Ashirbad Hazarika takes a look at 5 biggest talking points from the selection meeting that finalized India’s 15-man squad.
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher were part of the selection process. They joined the selectors from Australia over video conference. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from Test cricket, but when it comes to ODI cricket, he is still the boss of Indian cricket, at least on the field.
2. Yuvraj Singh vs Ravindra Jadeja: This was the most debated selection. On one hand was the man in form and the Man of the 2011 World Cup and on the other hand there was Jadeja recuperating from injury. What probably saved Jadeja was the physio Nitin Patel’s report on Jadeja’s recovery.
“Jadeja, at present, is undergoing a rehabilitation program. He is doing wonderfully well. Today, we had a detailed discussion with the physiotherapist of the BCCI and we are quite hopeful that, within next ten days, he will be fit,” said Sanjay Patel.
3. Ambati Rayudu vs Robin Uthappa: There was a debate over the selection of Rayudu or Uthappa as the second wicket-keeper batsman. Eventually Rayudu was preferred due to his performances against Sri Lanka.
4. Murali Vijay vs Shikhar Dhawan: Due to Vijay’s good form and Dhawan’s poor form this selection was also highly debated. But eventually what went against Vijay was the fact that he played only 13 matches compared to Dhawan’s 49.
5. India have 11 players who are playing the World Cup for the first time. Probably the most inexperienced in terms of big tournament temperament if compared to the major cricket playing nations.
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