Mumbai: No. Yuvraj Singh has not made it to the 15-member Team India that will defend its title in world Cup 2015 beginning mid-February.
Though there was much talk on whether the all-rounder and last Cup’s star would make it to the team this time, selectors went for Ravinder Jadeja, who has been nursing an injury. Selectors Sandip Patil, Saba Karim, Vikram Rathod, Rajendra Hans and Roger Binny, hopeful that he will recover by the time the championship begins.
In a statement, the BCCI said: “Many players were discussed, even the ones who were not part of the 30, so was Yuvraj Singh. But in consideration with the selectors and consulting coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who were on a conference call, we made this choice.”
“Jadeja, currently undergoing rehabilitation, is recovering fast. We had a word with the physio,” the statement added.
Rohit Sharma – the man who has two ODI double hundreds – sealed his spot by this feat. Shikhar Dhawan is likely to be the opener along with him. Ajinkya Rahane has found his aggression playing in Australia and shall take care of the middle-order along with Virat Kohli. They will be followed by Suresh Raina, who is a terrific finisher, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Jadeja’s No 7 slot could either go to Akshar Patel or Ravichandran Ashwin. Advantage? Both of them can bat.
Squad: MS Dhoni (captain/wicket-keeper), Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, All rounder: R Jadeja, R Ashwin, S Binny, Bowlers: A Patel, B Kumar, I Sharma, M Shami, U Yadav.
