The Indian selectors have sent a strong message to the nation that they want to groom the next generation of Indian cricket before the World Cup 2015 by not considering the names of the five stars of the team that lifted the trophy back in 2011. The preliminary list that consists of 30 probables who will be considered during the selection of the touring team did not have the names of Yuvraj Singh, the player of the tournament in the last edition, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan.
World Cup 2015 squad: IN
This means Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Suresh Raina are the only survivors of the team that won the trophy in Mumbai in 2011.
The selection committee headed by Sandeep Patil mentioned in the press conference after the selection process was over, “Seniors were also considered; there was a discussion. But the thought process was to give preference to the performers.” Sandeep Patil also confirmed, “Barring major injuries, the World Cup squad would be from this list.”
World Cup 2015 squad: OUT
Sunil Gavaskar commented on this decision of the selectors of leaving out the seniors, “This was expected as these players have not played for India in over a year. They have not even performed in domestic matches. Cricket has become faster and a team cannot carry passengers.”
This decision quite clearly brings a somewhat tragic end to the careers of the few great Indian cricketers who have served the Indian cricket over the last decade. This may well just be the end of the road for the great stars of Indian cricket who have entertained this cricket loving nation to the highest level.
Tags: Indian squad World Cup 2015 World Cup 2015 squad
