ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE

Picking a World Cup squad isn’t an exact science there may be some absences. While the Indian side is filled with match-winners, them going the distance isn’t a guarantee, notes Gomesh S

- 

EVERY time a team is picked for a global event, the intent often seems to revolve around picking the best possible squad while covering all the bases if someone gets a minor injury. Unlike bilaterals and other continental tournaments such as Asia Cup-where teams often carry 17-18 players- there can be only 15 in the squad. That is what makes the selection all the more crucial.

While team composition depends on the approach of the management, the larger theme (brand of cricket and player availability) has remained the same. For India, it was eight batters three could roll their three leading spinners and four pacers in 2011; seven batters, four pacers and four allrounders in 2015; seven batters, three all-rounders and five bowlers in 2019. For the upcoming ODI World Cup, the Rohit Sharma-led side will have a similar combination from 2019, with none of the batters having bowled regularly.