ICC World Cup 2019: Former Indian Captain Mohammad Azharuddin reveals his playing XI

What's the story?

The much expected 2019 World Cup is set to begin in England right after the IPL. Former cricketers are vouching out for the players that they want to see play in this mega event.

Now, former cricketer, Mohammad Azharuddin picked his India's playing XI for the World Cup.

In case you didn't know

Mohammad Azharuddin is a former Indian cricketer and led India in both the 1996 and 1999 World Cups.

India lost to Sri Lanka in the 1996 semifinals and got knocked out from the super six in the 1999 event. He has now picked his best Indian XI for the ODIs' the biggest tournament.

The heart of the matter

The former Indian captain went with a strong top three- Rohit, Dhawan and Virat. So he might not be in line with the idea of the head coach, who said Kohli might bat at number four.

He picked both young and veteran wicket keepers Pant and Dhoni, along with Kedar Jadhav for the middle order.

He prefers Pant over Rayudu in the middle. The fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya gets his place along with swing bowler Bhuvi, who will suit well in England.

Azhar picked both of the in-form bowlers, Bumrah and Shami. The fast bowling looks really solid in his team.

Finally, he kept both the spinners, with one of them as the 12th man.

Mohammed Azharuddin’s Indian playing XI for 2019 World Cup:

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav /Yuzvendra Chahal.

What's Next?

Indian chief selector MSK Prasad said after the team selection that the committee had short-listed 18 players for the big event.

They will be rotated during Australia series, and then the final 15 players will be picked for the much-anticipated tournament.