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I think the selectors have made the right choices in the current scenario :thumbs up

Rahane - we all know he can play well, but he hasn't been consistent and the statistics are against him

Rayudu - a tad harsh on him, but recent form let him down (he was part of the 2015 world cup squad!)

Dinesh Karthik - well, he does deserve one last chance to represent team India at the highest level in ODI's

Pant - still very young, will eventually make it to the ODI team. Yes he has some X factor to his batting style but his wicketkeeping lets him down as well as his batting being a hit or miss!

Rahul - he has the potential but again is a hit or miss, I think the backup opener role is what got him into the squad

Jadeja - should consider himself a bit lucky to have made it to the squad finally, he does have the game but hasn't been getting too many chances

Good luck Team India, Go Blue, Go Big :thumbs up

I also liked the format for this world cup, every team gets to play each other unlike the 4-5 team in a group format that can sometimes turn out to be unfair to some teams and lucky for other teams.

I also have no problem with the team selection. Although there is one thing - the reason for Pants omission is a little surprising. He is good enough to keep in test matches where he is the number 1 keeper but not good enough to be the reserve keeper in ODIs. Strange.

I am baffled at the selection!
(a) Why have three spinners in English conditions?
(b) What is Rahul and Karthik doing in the squad?
(c) Why are we going with just three full-time bowling options?
(d) Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar on what merit?
(e) Where is Pant and Prithvi?

My ideal 11 was:
Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli, Dhoni, Pant, Pandya, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Bhuvi, Shami; with a Jadeja or Shankar or Jadhav or Prithvi in based on opposition. Agreed Prithvi or Pant dont have much exposure, but Rahul and Karthik are specialists in what sense!!! :Frustrati

I think he was lucky enough to get the break in Test Cricket due to the injury suffered by Wriddhiman Saha (bad timing for that injury), who is probably still the #1 test wicket keeper (even his batting wasn't bad!). However, Pant made best use of the chances he got and the way he batted in some of the innings, became an instant choice in the Test team at least for now :)

Rahul is the best backup opener we have. Shaw is far from ready IMO.

Choice between Jadeja and Umesh Yadav - could have gone either way. Same with Pant vs Karthik - both are equally bad/good with bat and gloves.

Jadhav is a definite starter in the 11.

Overall it's a good selection from the pool of players available for selection I'd say.

1. Rahul had not utilized his opportunities before. He also has shown that he can't bat anywhere else apart from opening spot. I was almost sure he wouldn'tmake it, but luckily for him he is picked as there are not many who can fill the backup opener spot currently. If Shaw wasn't injured in Australia, he'd have shown his potential and would've been selected IMO.

2. Chahal is over rated IMO. And with Kuldeep in, Chahal wasn't needed. But again I feel he'll be used as a spinner when Kuldeep isn't playing or when the any conditions are spin friendly.

3. Only two out of DK, Jadhav and Rayudu could've made it. DK and Jadhav have a second skill in their armoury which gave them that edge I think. Rayudu is not that compelling with just his batting and his ordinary fielding.

4. I hate Pandya but there are hardly any power hitters to choose from.

5. I don't expect Rahul to be a default in the platlying XI. Only two out of DK Jadeja and Shankar will be part of the playing team. Only 3 out of 5 bowlers will take the field IMO.

What has Kedhar Jadhav done which makes him qualify automatically for all selections.

Shreyas Iyer is best among Rahul, DK & Kedars.

He is the only batsman who bowls a bit. Think of him as a Raina.

This is a good squad, I'm not too surprised that DK got the nod ahead of Pant.
My ideal 11:
1. Rohit
2. Dhawan
3. Rahul
4. Kohli
5. Dhoni
6. Jadhav
7. Pandya
8. Kuldeep
9. Chahal/Bhuvi
10. Shami
11. Bumrah

The only problem is that we need 10 overs from Jadhav and Pandya together.

DK is the back up keeper/middle order batsman.
Shankar is a replacement for Pandya


I think Wriddhiman Saha is going to comeback into the Test side once he's fit. Keepers are critical (especially in the sub-continent) and I'd rate him even higher than Dhoni in terms of keeping. Saha is a good batsman, but Pant is way better. If Saha doesn't show good form with the bat, it maybe the end of the road for him.

Pant's dream first games remind of Karun Nair.

Thank god Siraj and Umesh aren't in the squad. It's painful to watch them bowl these days. Truly termed as run-machines(for opponent):uncontrol

I will not have Kohli bat anywhere other than number 3. He is our best batsman and this is his best position - Simple.

Team

Rohit
Dhawan/Rahul
Kohli
Dhoni
DK
Jadhav
Pandya/Vijay Shanker
Bhuvi
Shami
Bhumrah
Kuldeep/Chahal.

Only problem is tail is too long. I may even be tempted to play Jadeja instead of Kuldeep/Chahal for his batting.

Pity that Rahul cannot play anywhere other than opening slot. Otherwise would have him instead of DK at 5. Dhoni needs to bat at 4 and control the innings. He is not the explosive middle order batsman who can go bonkers from the word go at 5 and below. He needs time to build his innings now a days and coming in at 4 will give him that time. He can also rotate the strikes with Kohli by running the singles and doubles during middle overs.

That is the biggest mistake which the team could possibly make!
Jadeja's batting ability is on the wane, his fielding is exemplary but his bowling cannot be termed better than Kuldeep/Chahal.
Let the top 6 bat properly, bottom 4 bowl properly & Pandya can chip in with both.:)

Yeah I agree. But I am not sure on our top 6 batting properly. Somehow does not give confidence looking at the probable top 6s.

I wish Shreyas Iyer had shown some form a little earlier than the IPL. He looks a good prospect for a middle order slot.

agree:

You have echoed exactly my thoughts...especially about Pandya lol: