ICC World Cup 2023: Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur In Contention For 4th Pacer Slot; Core WC Squad Finalized - Reports

The selection dilemma for the Indian Cricket Team for the Asia Cup 2023 as well as the ICC World Cup 2023 might have just started. The reports in PTI have suggested that the core group for both the tournament has been finalized but there’s a competition for the fourth pacer’s slot in the team.

It is learned that Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat will be up against each other for the fourth pacer’s slot in the team. But the India team will be having a fair amount of time to name the final 15 for the ICC World Cup 2023.

As per ICC, teams have to submit their initial squad of 15 by September 5th before naming the final team on 27th September. After naming the preliminary squad, the teams can make as many changes as possible till the final date, which depicts that India might carry a 16-17 member squad for Asia Cup 2023.

The performances of Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur will be keenly observed during the Asia Cup as well as the three-match series against Australia. While Thakur has been exceptional in the last few months, Unadkat on the other hand has played just a few games but his left-arm angle is something that will be under consideration.

Shardul Thakur proved his worth in the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies as he ended the series as the leading wicket-taker whereas Jaydev Unadkat played just one game but was decent with the ball. They both are handy with the bat as well, which makes competition between them even more interesting.

Also, the BCCI wants to give KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer a proper chance to recover ahead of the mega-events.

“The selectors and the team management wants to give both Rahul and Shreyas full chance of recovery. Rahul is certainly way ahead in terms of recovery and getting closer to full match fitness.

“But he needs to do match simulation where he is able to keep wickets for 50 overs,” a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

“The Instagram videos show that he is doing well but 50 overs of keeping and at least 30 overs of batting in the heat will prove how his operated thigh is holding up in humid conditions. If he is able to do well over next nine possible games (six if India play the Asia Cup final plus three against Australia), it will be the best news for the Indian team,” he added.

ICC World Cup 2023: India’s core squad for the World Cup

The reports also suggested that BCCI has finalized the core squad for the World Cup as well. Mukesh Kumar is also among the probables whereas Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravindra Jadeja are four spinners. Injured KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are also there.

Here’s India’s likely core squad for the World Cup:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Surykumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal