Backup XI for 2019 World Cup: Replacement for each position if first choices get injured
2019 World Cup is approaching and the Indian ODI team looks very much settled except few questions to be answered. India is considered as one of the top contenders for the title. 2011 world cup winning team looks settled barring few spots to fill. Players like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah look certain in the playing XI.
So, first let us look at probable playing XI for the world cup if all the players are available:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yazuvendra Chahal and Bumrah.
Injury is an inevitable part of any sports person’s career. Apart from continuous International cricket, Indian players will also be engaged in league cricket- IPL, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. So, in case of sudden injury to any first-choice players, team management should be ready with their appropriate backup.
First Choice Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma
Replacements: KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane
No prize for guessing this one! KL Rahul is with the Indian team for a while now and team management has cleared that he will be considered as an opener only. So, in case of injury/unavailability to either of the first choice openers, India has an able replacement. Karnataka opener is technically sound and can also take advantage of field restriction by playing aerial shots. Along with Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina, he is only the 3rd batsman for India to have centuries in all 3 formats. Though he is not in the best of his form, team management is backing him as a first choice reserve opener.
In case of unavailability of both the first choice openers, second backup opener could be Ajinkya Rahane. Rajasthan Royals skipper is a senior member and has the experience of playing in English conditions. He was given a long run as an opener in the past and can be a perfect replacement in seaming and swinging condition.
First Choice No. 3: Virat Kohli (c)
Replacement: Shubman Gill
Injury to Virat Kohli ! This must be the worst case any Indian fan can think of. Though India won Asia Cup/Nidhas Trophy without Kohli, World Cup is a different game altogether. Tougher conditions and platform like world cup demand players like Kohli. Team India relies enormously on Kohli. Still in case of injury to Kohli, Shubman Gill can be tried at number 3. Though 19-year-old Punjab player is nowhere near Virat yet, the youngster has shown a lot of promise in domestic cricket. Along with Prithvi Shaw, Shubman is considered as the next big thing for Indian cricket. He can be X factor if given a chance. The only concern with Shubman is that he has not been tested yet in tougher conditions and on bigger occasions.
First Choice No. 4: Ambati Rayudu
Replacement: Dinesh Karthik
Ambati Rayudu has shown enough promise to fill the number 4 position with his consistent performances in whatever chances he has got. With batting average of almost 50 after 52 matches shows consistency of leading run scorer of CSK in 2018 edition of IPL. Dinesh Karthik can be his replacement at number 4 in case of injury to Rayudu. Karthik is travelling with the Indian team regularly for a couple of years now. Since his cameo in Nidhas trophy final, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper looks in good touch and contributing well with the bat. However, after playing around 90 matches, he averages near 30 and still does not have any century to his name. Karthik often gets good starts, but fails to convert it into big score. At the moment, Karthik can be an ideal replacement for Rayudu.