KL Rahul included in India's World Series Squad

KL Rahul has retained his place in India’s squad for the forthcoming ODI World Series despite being out of action since May this year. Rahul, who is India’s first choice wicket keeper batter in the format, is currently travelling to Sri Lanka for the Super 4 stage of the Asia ODI Series after successfully passing a fitness evaluation test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on September 4. 

New batting sensation Tilak Varma and promising pacer Prasidh Krishna are the two players from the current squad of 17 in the ongoing edition of the Asia ODI Series to have not made the final cut along with Sanju Samson, who is a back up player in Asia’s battle for supremacy. 

Ishan Kishan has been selected as the other wicket keeper batter in the squad. Kishan’s inclusion was hard to ignore as he showed his worth with a free flowing 82 in India’s opening game against Pakistan in the Asia ODI Series 2023. This was also his fourth successive ODI half century. 

In spite of Kishan’s form has raised the chance of him playing as a specialist middle order batter, the selectors have also gone with Suryakumar Yadav in 15 men squad- Suryakumar, a T20 behemoth, has substandard ODI numbers with a disappointing average of 24.22 comprising only two half centuries  in 24 innings, and has agreed to not being up the mark in the 50 over game. 

Rahul, who last made an ODI appearance in March this year, suffered a torn tendon in his right thigh during the Indian T20 League and as a result had to undergo surgery in May. He was named in the Asia ODI Series squad after extensive rehab at the NCA, but was then ruled out of the opening two matches after sustaining a fresh niggle. 

“We had a couple of fitness issues that we had to look at, but all three [Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer], who had long-term injuries have come through," India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar said in a press conference. "KL is looking good. We feel this gives us the best balance to try and do well. With KL, he was part of the camp in Bangalore, he looked really good there, and has got over his niggle. He played a couple of games over the last two days. I think he kept for 50 overs and batted for around 50 overs too, so he looks good and we're happy to have him."

Rahul Dravid expressed contentment with Rahul’s recovery last week. He further added that India was taking a “slightly more cautious approach” with him.  Rahul has been at the NCA working with head physio Nitin Patel since then and even had a match simulation session on Monday to assess his level of readiness. 

Bumrah will lead the pace bowling prowess that comprises Mohammad Siraj and Mohammed Shami, as well as fast bowling all rounders Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya.  

Kuldeep Yadav is the specialist wrist spinner, with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as the spin bowling all rounders. 

“Clearly there will be discussions given we have both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel who spin the ball into left-handers," Agarkar said. "[But] both give us depth in batting. Kuldeep takes the ball away. In 50 overs cricket, perhaps you would ideally want an offspinner but this gives us the best balance. Seamers tend to bowl a lot more in ODIs as compared to T20 cricket, and perhaps you're a little more under pressure if you don't have an offie, so we're happy with the guys we have."

While the deadline to submit the ODI World Series squad to the International Cricket Board is September 5, sides can make alterations/changes until September 28 without requiring approval from the International Cricket Board. This gives India three more ODIs against Australia following the conclusion of the Asia ODI Series to experiment with their bench and provide players such as Iyer and Rahul more game time. India begin their World Series campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. 

India's World Series squad: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj