Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant named India's standbys for World Cup 2019

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup on Monday. The premier 50-over tournament will begin on May 30 and the final will be played on July 14. The ‘Men in Blue’ will play their first game against Proteas on June 5 at Rose Bowl, Southampton. The cricket fraternity around the world is hoping for India-England final at Lords, London. 

The selection committee came up with a few surprises in the squad as they went with Vijay Shankar and Dinesh Karthik ahead of Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu. However, the duo on Wednesday named among the standbys for India’s World Cup squad, reigniting their dashed hopes of making the trip to the UK in case an injury setback hits the side.

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“Just like ICC Champions Trophy, we have three standbys. Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu are the first and second standbys while Saini is the bowler in the list. So if anyone gets injured, as per requirement, one of the three will be going,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Wednesday.

“Khaleel, Avesh and Deepak are not designated standbys. In case of bowlers, that possibility is there but when it comes purely to batsmen, it will be either Rishabh or Rayudu,” the official added.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant named India's standbys for World cup 2019. 
• Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar were chosen ahead of both Rayudu and Pant. 
• India will play its first game against South Africa.