Should Ipl Performances Be Considered For World Cup Selection?

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, had stated that the performances in IPL would not influence WC selections. But BCCI, before the start of IPL said it will consider IPL performances for WC selection. However, the scenario looks slightly different now. Plenty of players in the probable squad list are out of form in the ongoing IPL. While the competition for no.4 slot and back-up wicketkeeper is getting very intense at the end of every IPL match.

The Indian WC squad will be announced tommorow on 15 April 2019, plenty of there is to discuss and will be discussed after the announcement of the Indian contingent going to the World Cup.

Before the limited-overs series against Australia, Ambati Rayudu was the front-runner for the no.4 position. However, at the end of that series, Rayudu’s place in the squad came under scrutiny due to a poor run of form.

As a result Rahul and Shankar came up as the front runners for the No 4 position. Just like this case, Karthik was considered as the 'finisher' alongside Dhoni but due to the stellar performances of Pant in test circle gave selectors a headache. DK was dropped and Rishabh played in place of him.

The names mentioned above, barring Rahul, no one has stamped his authority in this IPL season. Rishabh Pant's shot selection at crucial moments of the match is a matter of concern and meanwhile his competitior, Karthik has not been so good with the bat himself for KKR.

Ignoring Rayudu for Rahul will be a harsh decision since Rayudu has been associated with the ODI setup consistently for the past six months. Similarly DK provides more experience than Pant. Form of one format can't decide a selection policy for other. For a mega event like WC we don't want like for like replacements, what a team requires is a 'floater'. Someone who can bat at No.4 or can bat at 5 or 6 and if required, can also open the innings. Considering this, both DK and Pant fit in this category and Rahul misses out. Rahul is someone who prefers to open and enjoys opening the innings. His records at No.4 are not something he can boast about. The least he can go in the ODI format is No.3 but making Kohli bat down the order will and should not happen.

Let's hope selection is not based purely on the basis of IPL form.