BCCI Finds No Place for Yuvraj Singh in 2015 World Cup Squad, Fit-Again Ravindra Jadeja Makes Cut
Defending champions India will be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the World Cup 2015, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: January 06, 2015 02:06 pm IST
India announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The defending champions start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15. India's 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh was ignored despite a hat-trick of hundreds in the Ranji Trophy. (Highlights of Selection Meeting)
The likes of Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma were obvious selections. The selectors gathered in Mumbai for a much-anticipated meeting to announce the squad on Tuesday.
Rookie left-arm spinner Akshar Patel got his maiden World Cup berth while Stuart Binny, who holds the best bowling figures by an Indian in ODIs, also made the cut. India chose to stick with the experienced Ishant despite suffering an injury which ruled him out of the SCG Test.
There were questions on Jadeja's fitness, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury. Physio Nitin Patel, who supervised Jadeja's fitness at the new BCCI center in Chennai, submitted a progress report to the selectors. The Saurashtra all-rounder had returned home after sustaining an injury in the Test series in Australia. There was uncertainty over his availability for the showpiece event, raising hopes for an out-of-favour Yuvraj.
Yuvraj was not named in the 30-man probables list. BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said Yuvraj's name was discussed in the meeting along with several other players. Many names apart from the probables were also considered, the BCCI said on Tuesday.
Patel said Jadeja's rehabilitation program was going along well and he should be completely fit in 10 days. The selection committee had a detailed discussion with the physio Nitin Patel.
India, the No. 3 ODI side in the world, are clubbed in Pool B with South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.
India's 15-man squad for World Cup 2015
MS Dhoni, S Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Raydu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Stuart Binny and Umesh Yadav
India's Squad for Tri-Series in Australia
MS Dhoni (Captain), Virat Kohli (V Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni