There was no place for veteran Yuvraj Singh but all-rounder Stuart Binny and left-arm spinner Axar Patel on Tuesday were named in India's 15-member squad for the ICC ODI World Cup, starting in Australia and New Zealand, next month.
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Ravindra Jadeja, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, was included as the selectors felt that he would recover in time for the mega-event.
Ambati Rayudu, who impressed during the ODI series at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka, was also included in the squad announced by BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel after a meeting of the selection committee in Mumbai.
Pace bowler Ishant Sharma, who had to miss the fourth and final Test against Australia because of a knee problem, was named in the squad. "The physio said that he will have to miss this match but he will be fit for the World Cup," Patel said.
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Yuvraj, who played a stellar role in India's World Cup triumph in 2011, was not named in the list of the 30-member probables but had come into reckoning after his three back-to-back centuries for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan, who struggled in the ongoing Test series against Australia but has a good record in the ODIs was retained in the squad even as the selectors ignored Murali Vijay, Robin Uthappa and Manoj Tiwary for the high-profile event to be held from February 14 to March 29.
Axar, 20, impressed recently in the ODI series at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka where he was preferred ahead of Jadeja. His ability to score quick runs at the end also helped him get the nod.
The team, to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has no major surprises with the selectors opting to go with four specialist pace bowlers -- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav -- considering the pacy wickets in Australia and New Zealand.
"Jadeja at present is undergoing rehabilitation. He is doing wonderfully well. We had detailed discussion with BCCI phsyio (on his inclusion) and we are confident that he will return to training within 10 days," Patel said on Jadeja's fitness.
Patel said Yuvraj's name was deliberated upon but decided against selecting him.
"Not only Yuvraj Singh but other names were also discussed apart from the 30 probables. There were deliberations between five selectors and captain Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher were on the conference call," he said.
The selectors also announced the team for the tri-series to follow the Test matches in Australia. Apart from India and Australia, England will be the third team. Apart from the 15 selected for the World Cup, Dhawal Kulkarni and Mohit Sharma have been included as two additional players for the triangular ODI series.
Indian team for World Cup: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Stuart Binny, Umesh Yadav.
Indian team for ODI tri-series in Australia: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Stuart Binny, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohit Sharma.
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