Cricket World Cup 2019: BCCI announce India's 15-member squad; Karthik picked over Pant

The BCCI has opted to announce the team eight days ahead of the deadline on April 23, so that the selected players get enough time to mentally prepare themselves for the big event

The five national selectors led by chairman and former India wicketkeeper MSK Prasad announced the final 15-member squad for ICC World Cup 2019 in Mumbai on Monday. The BCCI has opted to announce the team eight days ahead of the deadline on April 23, so that the selected players get enough time to mentally prepare themselves for the big event. The majority of the Indian squad selected have consistently been part of the Indian team in the 50-over format in the last two years. India’s 15-member squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami Virat Kohli-led squad, comprises five specialist batsmen, two wicketkeepers, three fast bowlers, three all-rounders and two specialist spinners. Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar made it for his "three-dimensional" qualities. Likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar and Ravindra Jadeja were among those whose contention was debated at the meeting. The No. 4 position was an area of huge debate but KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent batsmen in that spot. The 33-year-old Karthik got the nod ahead of the 21-year-old Pant despite an indifferent IPL campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders. While announcing the squad, BCCI Chairman of Selectors MSK Prasad said that the selectors picked Dinesh Karthik as a backup wicket-keeper instead of Pant because of his experience. "Went ahead with Karthik because of his experience of big-match wicket-keeping", said MSK Prasad.