• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Ajit Agarkar Sheds Light On Kl Rahuls Selection In Indias World Cup Squad

Ajit Agarkar Sheds Light on KL Rahul's Selection in India's World Cup Squad

Datrim

image-lm62qy34Rohit Sharma with Ajit Agarkar [X.com]

The BCCI Selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, unveiled the much-awaited Indian squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup on September 5 at around 1:30 PM local time. Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue in the upcoming ODI World Cup, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya named his deputy.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul made their way into the squad after enduring a prolonged injury layoff. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson are among some other players who have been omitted from the 15-member team despite delivering some eye-catching performances in recent times.

It is worth noting that India have gone with two wicketkeeping options: Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul. Ishan is in the form of his life and is certainly riding high on confidence after his swashbuckling knock against Pakistan last Saturday. On the other hand, Rahul hasn't had much game time since the IPL and had to wait on the sidelines for the most part leading up to the World Cup.

Speaking on the team selection, chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that his primary focus was mainly on KL Rahul, who has been one of the most prolific run-getters for India at No.5 in the recent past. 

However, Agarkar highlighted his concern about Rahul's wicketkeeping abilities. It is understood that the 31-year-old has experienced problems with squatting behind the wickets.

"KL Rahul is looking good. This team gives us the best balance and gives us the best chance to do well in World Cup. We picked the 15, we trust. KL Rahul was part of the camp in Bengaluru. He looked really good in the practice games. He's an important player for us and we are happy to have him," said Agarkar in the press conference. 

"It's a good headache to have. Ishan has done really well. KL Rahul has performed in the past. We are happy to have two options now," he added. 

The nature of his hamstring injury was such that it has taken longer than expected for him to be fit enough to keep wickets for 50 overs.

All eyes will be on team India, who are slated to open their World Cup campaign on October 8, when it faces Australia at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Before that, the two sides will meet each other one final time in a 3-match ODI series just after the conclusion of the Asia Cup final.