KL Rahul to be included in India's World Cup squad; Samson misses out
World Cup squad, which will be announced on Sunday. Rahul has been recuperating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru post a thigh surgery, and he will have one final round of fitness drills before flying out to Sri Lanka to join the Indian team for the ongoing Asia Cup.
It is understood that the NCA trainers and the team management have been left with little doubt after Rahul batted extensively at nets and in the match simulation process.
India was expected to announce their World Cup-bound 15 on September 4 ahead of the September 5 cut off date.
But the selectors decided to go ahead with the announcement after Rahul received the fitness clearance.
He can be expected to keep wickets too in the World Cup.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had reached Pallekele on Saturday, and it is understood that he held discussions with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid post India's match against Pakistan, which was abandoned due to rain.
Ishan Kishan will be the second wicketkeeper in the side and his composed 81 against Pakistan on Saturday was the clincher.
It means that Sanju Samson will miss out on an India berth.
Samson is in Sri Lanka with the Indian team as a travelling reserve.
Suryakumar Yadav too has found a place in the squad despite his less than satisfactory outings in the ODIs.
Suryakumar could not get going in the ODIs against West Indies (July-August), making just 78 runs from three matches averaging 26.
However, the team management felt that the Mumbaikar can add further meat to the middle-order.
In batting apart from skipper Rohit, players like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer were automatic picks. Hence, Tilak Varma will have to sit out for the moment.
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
