ICC World Cup 2019: Gautam Gambhir Extends his Support to Ambati Rayudu After World Cup Snub

The Indian National Cricket Team have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. Veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu was one of the notable miss alongside young wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. Former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir has extended his support to Rayudu who is unlikely to play a World Cup match ever.

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The selection panel headed by MSK Prasad chose Vijay Shankar over Ambati Rayudu. Speaking on the same, Prasad said they have nothing against Rayudu, but something went in favour of Shankar. He also added that the Tamil Nadu all-rounder is three dimensional which helped his cause. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant also failed to make the cut as Dinesh Karthik made his way because of wicket-keeping abilities. Many former cricketers and pundits slammed the selectors for not including Pant, but Gautam Gambhir feels people should show concerns towards Ambati Rayudu more. Trying to put reason to his statement, Gambhir said that Rayudu doesn’t have age by his side while Rishabh Pant still has many years of cricket left in him.

“Why speak about only one player? There is Ambati Rayudu who missed out as well. He is averaging 48 in ODIs, why focus only on Pant? I feel it is far more disheartening for someone like Rayudu because Pant has age on his side.

“Rayudu doesn’t have age on his side and we should be talking about Rayudu because Pant is at least playing one format of the game,” he pointed.

The bowling unit makes India better: Gambhir

Speaking on the whole squad for the World Cup, Gautam Gambhir opined that the current bowling unit makes this side better than that of 2011. He also added that the presence of MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya would bolster the men in blues chances of lifting the prestigious title. The former southpaw also added that Jasprit Bumrah’s presence – the best death bowler will a massive advantage for the Indian team.

“We have the experience of Dhoni, who is playing his fourth World Cup. We also have Hardik Pandya who has an X-factor, but we have a better bowling attack this time than what we did in 2011.

“We have Jasprit Bumrah who is at present the best white-ball bowler, and that is why I think this bowling attack is far better than the one in 2011. It is on the batsmen to now put the runs on the board,” he concluded.

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India will begin their campaign on June 5 against South Africa at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground.