As India gears up to host the highly anticipated ODI World Cup later this year, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has handpicked his ideal 15-member squad for the prestigious tournament. The squad showcases a well-balanced mix of experienced players and promising talents, with a keen emphasis on the spin department to exploit home conditions.
At the top of the order, Jaffer has opted for a formidable trio of openers. The explosive Rohit Sharma, the talented Shubman Gill, and the seasoned campaigner Shikhar Dhawan have been chosen to lead the charge. While Dhawan may not have featured for India since December 2022, Jaffer believes his experience and ability to serve as a backup opener make him a valuable addition to the squad.
Moving into the middle, the formidable Virat Kohli is the undisputed No. 3 batsman, followed by the stylish Shreyas Iyer at No. 4. The versatile KL Rahul occupies the No. 5 spot. At the same time, the dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya is placed at No. 6. Jaffer’s inclusion of three spinners in the preferred XI reflects his confidence in India’s spinning resources and the potential challenges of playing at home.
Former Indian opener, “My three openers will be Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan. Even though Shikhar Dhawan is not going to be picked, I will keep him as the backup opener. Even if he doesn’t play at the start, I am okay with that. After that, Virat Kohli at No. 3 obviously. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, KL Rahul at No. 5 and Hardik Pandya at No. 6. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be my three spinners in the XI.”
In the spin department, Jaffer has selected the ever-dependable Ravindra Jadeja, the crafty Axar Patel, and the wrist-spinning wizard Kuldeep Yadav. These spinners offer a variety of skills and can contribute significantly with both bat and ball, making them vital assets in the World Cup campaign.
The pace bowling department features two specialist seamers, the lethal Jasprit Bumrah and the promising Mohammed Siraj or Mohammad Shami. Jaffer emphasizes the importance of the all-rounder Hardik Pandya being fit enough to provide crucial overs with the ball, given the conditions in India. If Pandya cannot bowl his full quota, his presence as a power-hitting batsman still adds immense value to the team.
Regarding backup players, Jaffer has chosen Shardul Thakur as the fourth seamer, providing depth and variety in the bowling attack. The talented Sanju Samson is named the backup wicketkeeper, providing a reliable option behind the stumps in case of unforeseen circumstances.
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“In my XI, I will have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj/Mohammad Shami. I will play two seamers – Bumrah and Siraj. For me, it is very important that Hardik Pandya bowls because the World Cup is in India. Even if he doesn’t bowl 10 overs and bowls seven-eight overs, it’s enough for me. If he bowls, I will definitely try to play three spinners and I will definitely play both Axar and Jadeja because they are all-rounders. My third spinner will obviously be Kuldeep. My fourth seamer will be Shardul Thakur. Sanju Samson will be my backup keeper because I have already picked Shikhar as my third opener.” Wasim Jaffer stated.
Jaffer’s preferred squad aims to strike the right balance between experience and youth, and the players chosen possess the skill and temperament to thrive in high-pressure situations during the World Cup. While there might be debates and discussions around the final squad selection, Jaffer’s choices reflect the depth and talent available in Indian cricket.
Wasim Jaffer’s preferred Indian World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur
