India’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has stated Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar and Ajinkya Rahane are in contention to be part of World Cup squad. He said barring the one odd position, they have identified the core group and have zeroed on the players who are sure shot to travel to England & Wales.
He labeled Pant as a healthy headache. “Undoubtedly he (Pant) is in contention,” Prasad said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo. “A healthy headache. The progression of Rishabh in the last one year is phenomenal across the formats. What we actually felt is he needs a bit of maturity now, gain more experience. That is reason we have included him in India A series wherever possible.”
He also lauded Rahane for his improved performance in domestic cricket. “In domestic cricket he has been in form,” Prasad said. “He is very much in contention for the World Cup.”
Prasad is mighty pleased with the way Vijay Shankar has performed in New Zealand.
“In whatever opportunities he has got, Vijay Shankar has shown the skillsets required at this level. We have been grooming him through India A tours in the last two years. But we will have to see where he can fit in the dynamics of this team,” Prasad said.