Manish Pandey, who hasn’t played for the national side in the 50-over format since the series against New Zealand last year, earned a recall to India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy announced on Monday (May 8) – a day after the BCCI gave the all-clear to participate in the tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the ace offspinner, who missed the ongoing Indian Premier League 2017 with a sports hernia injury, was named in the squad. The off-spinner played a crucial role in helping India hoist the Champions Trophy in 2013, picking up eight scalps at an average of 22.62. Ravindra Jadeja is the second spinner.
Rohit Sharma, the opening batsman, too has made a comeback into the set-up after he was ruled out for four months in November last year due to a thigh injury. KL Rahul, however, hasn’t sufficiently recovered from his shoulder injury and has missed out on selection.
The major talking point prior to the announcement was whether Ajinkya Rahane will retain his place in the set-up. The elegant batsman has been in poor form in the ongoing IPL, evidenced by the fact that he has compiled just 248 runs at an average of 20.66. However, the MSK Prasad-led selection panel showed their faith in the veteran batsman by naming him for England.
Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami will form a formidable pace attack. The Virat Kohli-led Indian side will start their campaign with a game against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4 at Edgbaston.
Squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit, Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj, Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami
