Pant left out of India World Cup squad, Karthik and Shankar picked

India have left explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant out of their World Cup squad, with Dinesh Karthik preferred as MS Dhoni’s understudy.
There is also place in the squad for all-rounder Vijay Shankar, with Ambati Rayudu – tipped by many to fill India’s troublesome number-four spot in England – left out altogether.
Virat Kohli will lead a squad that will rival England for pre-tournament favouritism despite recent setbacks, with a power-packed top three and high-class, well-balanced bowling attack making India look a real force.
Pant’s absence seems a shame given his thrilling play and outrageous potential, but Karthik has done well recently and is an understandable if conservative choice.
#TeamIndia for @ICC #CWC19 đȘđȘ#MenInBlue đ pic.twitter.com/rsz44vHpge
— BCCI (@BCCI) April 15, 2019
“We’ve seen Karthik finishing matches under pressure,” said chief selector MSK Prasad.
“Pant is full of talent. He has time on his hands.”
Pant played the last two games of the recent series against Australia, games India lost as the Aussies hit back from 2-0 down to claim a famous series victory.
On Shankar’s inclusion, Prasad said: “What Vijay Shankar offers is three dimensiona. Apart from his batting, he can bowl and he’s a fantastic fielder. We are looking at him as number four.”
The World Cup in England and Wales will run from 30 May to 14 July, with India’s campaign beginning against South Africa on 5 June at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
India World Cup squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav.
Latest
-
News
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
News
Jason Roy was never ready to âroll overâ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been Englandâs pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
News
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Royâs slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of Englandâs T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will âget better and betterâ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Womenâs Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about â80 per centâ fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's Cricket
Womenâs T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England
5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Fridayâs first ODI against South Africa.