New Delhi: BCCI has finally announced the names of the 15-member squad who are going to represent India in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup later this year. Sanju Samson and Yuzuvendra Chahal are amongst the top names that miss out. Asia Cup squad members Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Verma also miss out The squad is announced by Indian Captain Rohit Sharma and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. Here's the #TeamIndia squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 🙌#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/EX7Njg2Tcv — BCCI (@BCCI) September 5, 2023 Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with Hardik Pandya as his deputy. Virat Kohli will hold on to his top-order spot, with Shubhman Gill as the opening partner of Rohit Sharma. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan will strengthen the middle order alongside Surya Kumar Yadav and KL Rahul, who, despite his injury woes, continues to get backed by the BCCI. Hardik Pandya will be leading the all-rounder department along with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur. Thakur is again given preference over Yuzvendra Chahal because of his batting abilities down the order, as mentioned by the Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma after announcing the Asia Cup squad. The pace department will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Md. Siraj, along with Md. Shami, who will be going in the tournament as the most experienced pacer of the team. Kuldeep Yadav will be the only wrist spinner for the team. This will be the third time in the last three years that Chahal will out playing an ICC tournament despite being a regular feature for the team throughout the year. In the press conference, upon being asked about their chances of winning the World Cup with this team, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said that he truly believes that this is our best 15 and we have a strong chance of winning the World Cup with this team. ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will begin on October 5, with the defending champion England taking on the last edition's runners-up, New Zealand. The final of this year's World Cup will be played on November 19. India will begin their campaign against Australia on October 8. India's provisional squad for ODI World Cup: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Shami, Md. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
